War on Christmas Lights in MD: townspeople v. Verizon

Xeni Jardin 7:44 am Thu Dec 22, 2005

Boing Boing reader Scott says,

"Verizon gets all anal and prevents a Maryland town from putting up its Christmas lights. Townspeople get revenge by putting an inflatable Grinch next to the local Verizon office."

The dispute started when townsfolkses decided to upgrade the light system, and contacted the telco about new outlets and sensors to be installed on telephone poles. Verizon spokescritters replied "no," saying the specifics of the proposed plan were unsafe.

Link to a summary of news reports on Scott's blog, and here is the Boston Globe's account.

Reader comment: Eric Farris says,

I drive through Lonaconing ("Coney") every day to work and the absence of the lights is very noticable this year. I never noticed the sign on the Grinch, I'll have to check it out! :) I'm not one for holiday cheer, but I always enjoyed driving under the lights in Coney. Happy Chrismahanukwanzaa to you and yours.

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