Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Snowzilla: Christmas Hero or Neighborhood Menace?
by W. T. Howes
Politicians aren’t the only residents of Alaska who have stirred up enough controversy to become national news in 2008. Ted Stevens made headlines with his trial, conviction and narrow election defeat. Sarah Palin made headlines when she seized the nation’s attention during her run for Vice President. Neither Steven nor Palin can match Snowzilla for sheer stature. Snowzilla the giant snowman now rises 22 feet above the street in Anchorage on which he resides, and his mere existence has raised a Yuletide ruckus in Anchorage.
Snowzilla was 16 feet tall on Sunday. He was reduced to rubble as the result of a cease and desist order issued by the City of Anchorage. Like Frosty, he came back to life. Someone - perhaps Santa’s elves going rogue - rebuilt him overnight. He now stands at a height of 22 feet. No good deed goes unpunished, however. The legal struggle between Snowzilla’s family and the city will no doubt resume after Christmas. As such, a website has been started to support Snowzilla.
Some see Snowzilla as a menace to the neighborhood. His notoriety apparently creates traffic and noise in the residential area. Some see Snowzilla as a hero. That’s up to you. Merry Christmas.
