Battle Brewing In Livingston Over Cross On Resident’s Front Lawn

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antonivs

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There’s a picture of the man’s yard with the cross in it at the linked story. I don’t see how the cross on this man’s private property is a problem.
As you turn onto Sterling Drive in Livingston it’s the first thing you see: a large cross on Patrick Racaniello’s front lawn.
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The township told Racaniello a cross he attached to a tree in his yard during Lent violated an ordinance prohibiting residents from putting up anything within 10 feet of a right of way designed to attract attention.
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So, he took it down and erected a larger cross about 10 feet from the curb and contacted the Alliance Defense Fund, a coalition of Christian lawyers.
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source: newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/07/26/battle-brewing-in-livingston-over-cross-on-residents-front-lawn/
 
antonivs said:
There’s a picture of the man’s yard with the cross in it at the linked story. I don’t see how the cross on this man’s private property is a problem.

source: newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/07/26/battle-brewing-in-livingston-over-cross-on-residents-front-lawn/
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Livingston, New Jersey has an almost 50% Jewish population, so that might be a factor in this case. Or perhaps it is related to an atheist group’s protestations. Regardless of what the reasons are, I say too bad. It is this man’s private property, and if he wants to display a cross or any other religious symbol, it’s his right. Any nonsensical ordinance which forbids this should be struck down. Otherwise, the next step will be an internal inspection of our homes to make sure we don’t display any “undesirable” or “distracting” religious symbols.
 
valentino said:
After he took first one down and erected another one 10ft.away why did he contact the org.?He was legal then,right?
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No, he set up the second, much larger, cross so that it was just inside the 10 foot right of way. I think he was looking for a confrontation.

That said, I also think the city’s rationale is weak. Are other lawn ornaments also forbidden? Has the city taken similar action before? What if someone put a poster about a lost dog on a tree next to the curb… is that considered a distraction and hazard to traffic?
 
Looking at the picture. The only thing that catches the eye enough that might make someone take their eyes off the road is the flag.
 
I would put up about 100 crosses of various sizes and designs, but that is just me channeling my inner Thoreau! :dts:
 
I wonder if they also make people take down their tacky Halloween and Christmas decorations that are within 10 feet and designed to attract attention. :rolleyes:

Question: Aren’t all things you put in your yard designed to attract attention?
(Mailbox decorations, flowers, bushes, statues, fountains, well manicured lawn 🤷). The law really is vague.
 
Dale_M said:
No, he set up the second, much larger, cross so that it was just inside the 10 foot right of way. I think he was looking for a confrontation.

That said, I also think the city’s rationale is weak. Are other lawn ornaments also forbidden? Has the city taken similar action before? What if someone put a poster about a lost dog on a tree next to the curb… is that considered a distraction and hazard to traffic?
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thanks.I see now.So sorry.
 
I live in New Jersey and this is so stupid. The owner of the house has every right to put a cross on his own property and if other people don’t like it then too bad.

I just might buy a cross of my own even larger than the one in the picture and give it to the owner for him to display as well on his front lawn. 😛

God bless him!
 
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