In Frederick, Maryland, a battle over some holiday light displays that pitted neighbors against one another has been resolved.

Jessica Forres attended a meeting last night where the controversy was settled...



Christmas lights and other holiday decorations adorn many of the houses in the Worman's Mill neighborhood of Frederick but the displays at three adjacent townhouses are what raised the ire of the homeowner's association which claimed they are inconsistent with the community's "design concept."

Debra Sachs describes the elaborate decorations outside her home...

A LOT OF SNOOPIES ON DOG HOUSES, AND SNOW MEN AND PENGUINS AND DEERS, AND FROGS WEARING A SANTA HAT.

She and two other homeowners received letters from the association ordering them to remove their displays.

Refusal to do so would subject each of them to fines of 25 dollars a day.

Homeowner Donald Suhaka calls the association's outdoor holiday decoration guidelines "vague"....

THE OTHER THING IS THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL HOMES IN THE COMMUNITY WITH EQUALLY AS MANY AS MINE OR MORE THAT HAVEN'T GOTTEN LETTERS, SO I THINK THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE AN EXAMPLE OUT OF SOMEONE.

[NAT:PEOPLE TALKING]

The three neighbors stood their ground and last noight, they presented their arguments to the neighborhood association's covenants committee.


In this exchange, board chairman Harvey Alter questions Elena Doe, the third homeowner...

-WHAT PUZZLES US IS THAT YOU WERE INFORMED MORE THAN ONCE AND AT LEAST BY THE THIRD LETTER WE DIDN'T HEAR A RESPONSE FROM YOU.

-I DIDN'T THINK THERE WAS A NEED TO RESPOND BECAUSE MY DECORATIONS WERE APPROPRIATE

After hearing Sach's lawyer and watching Suhaka's "Powerpoint" presentation, the covenants committee ruled in favor of the three homeowners.

Here's board member Joe Pinto...

THEY WERE RIGHT YOU CAN HOLD STEADFAST IN A POLARIZED POSITION WHEN SOMEONE'S RIGHT THEY'RE RIGHT.

Pinto says the fines will be dismissed and association's holiday decoration guidelines will be revised.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News