Snowzilla, we hardly knew ye. The city of Anchorage, Alaska has terminated Snowzilla.
It wasn’t the weather. It wasn’t angry neighbors bearing shovels and pick axes.
It turns out Snowzilla’s biggest foe — the one who felled the controversial but much-loved giant — was a notice-bearing city code enforcement officer.
That’s right, Snowzilla was abated.
It was just a few years ago that 16-foot-tall Snowzilla arose in a residential yard in Airport Heights, launching an annual procession of local gawkers and an international media blitz.
I first posted about Snowzilla about a year ago. I am not unsympathetic with the neighbors who had to put up with the traffic brought by the gigantic snowman. But one should also point out that the city of Anchorage is missing a great opportunity. If one family could generate this much media frenzy with an over-sized snowman, how much could the city get by building a bigger one – with the original family helping out in some official capacity? Instead of the negative publicity of a code enforcement action to simply shut it down.
Think about it.
I completely agree. The city could have turned it into something positive. It is bothersome how, generally, a few individuals seem to take on the role of “fun sheriff” and are ready to blow the whistle on any activity that is the least but enjoyable but violates some obscure code someplace.
And the city probably couldn’t do it because their insurance wouldn’t cover it or something. So it means fun must be stamped out … someone might get hurt. Meanwhile, 10 people a day go to the hospital playing Wii games in their homes.
We *really* need to get government off the backs of the people and get back to personal responsibility. We also need not resent others having a little fun. I am really coming to resent government in new and even more bitter ways. Government seems to be the enemy of the people, not the servant of the people.
First the mini-Fenway park, now this. Pretty soon it they will be coming after our paddle balls.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84hMKNwvY5k
He’s back. Here’s an excerpt from the AP story:
A giant snowman named Snowzilla has mysteriously appeared again this year – despite the city’s cease-and-desist order.
Someone again built the giant snowman in Billy Powers’ front yard in an east Anchorage neighborhood. Snowzilla reappeared before dawn Tuesday.
Powers is not taking credit. When questioned Tuesday afternoon, he insisted Snowzilla just somehow happened, again.
This year, Snowzilla is estimated to be 25 feet tall. He’s wearing a black stovepipe hat and scarf.