Fourth of July display sparks ire in New Jersey town

Published June 27, 2016

Sparks fly over 4th of July decorations in NJ community

The July 4 holiday is a divisive time for one New Jersey community.

But not for any political reasons; instead, the neighbors living in the Beechcrest section of Florham Park have been arguing about decorations.

“That’s for sure – decoration drama definitely,” Aneta Mascaro told CBS Local.

Beechcrest’s mulch-filled welcome island used to be adorned with flags and signs to celebrate holidays – Halloween, Easter, Hanukkah, Christmas. A Memorial Day display featured American flags and signs for each branch of the service.

But some neighbors complained about the look, and now there may be no display for Independence Day. Borough leaders are set to discuss the issue at their next meeting.

“It was just too much,” Julie Carter told CBS. “It just screamed a yard sale, garage sale.”

The “scream” description was common among neighbors who disapproved of the decorations.

“I pulled in one time, and I’m like ‘Oh my gosh, it’s screaming,’” Barri Larsen said. “I don’t know. Too much. It’s a distraction.”

Others, like Mascaro, who’s lived on Elmwood Drive for 10 years, found the displays brightened her day.

“It’s nice and colorful,” she said.

Now the decoration decision rests in the hands of local leaders, who must decide if the adornments are colorful or kooky.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/us/fourth-of-july-display-sparks-ire-in-new-jersey-town