Old bridge, NJ – A New Jersey man is going head-to-head with town officials over his massive Christmas light display.
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Old Bridge officials have told Tom Apruzzi and his wife, Kris, that they will have to pay $2,000 a night for security at their light show or the town will shut it down.
The Apruzzis have been putting on the display at their home for 15 years, which includes more than 70,000 lights synchronized to music.
Officials say the increasing crowds and parked cars have led to unsafe conditions in the area.
Tom Apruzzi calls the fees “bureaucratic baloney” and has started an online fundraiser to pay them. But he says the show will go on starting Saturday, whether or not the fundraiser meets its goal.
He claims it a First Amendment issue.
I’m fine with not having a birthday party this year, but the First Amendment does protect it.
This should be fought with everything available. The town could start saying things like this about every Shul that has events many nights. They start with this, and tomorrow they will tell you what paint you can put on your home. It is private property, and if people want to come and they park wrong the police have an right or obligation to ticket the car, nothing else. This really is a first amendment right.
Let the local Chabad put up a few menorahs and split the cost
If there really is unsafe conditions, the police should issue tickets to those people; dangerous driving, illegally parked cars, jaywalking… the police in NYC have every excuse in the book to give tickets. They should give them lessons.
The home owner should put out a collection box, with suggested donations to cover his legal fees (or security fee?).
This needs to be fought!! I live in Memphis, Tn and we have a house with the same kind of light show on a large public street. Many people stop on the side and everyone else just goes around them. Light shows don’t cause unsafe driving conditions, drivers do!!
To#9- Don’t remind him; otherwise, he will bring his dumb brother Munch, back into the picture. I haven’t missed those obnoxious postings, the last few weeks!
There was someone was in jail in Miami, and when he came before the Judge he told him, your honor I want to let you know I found Jesus in the Dade County Jail, so the Judge said big deal every third inmate there is name is Jesus