Anchorage Daily News

Snowzilla was just a blob of lumpy snow a few weeks ago when city code enforcers left notices telling an Airport Heights property owner that he couldn't build a monstrous snow man this year. Too much traffic. Too many middle-of-the-night disturbances. Too much trespassing in neighbors' yards.

Property owner Billy Powers said he'd comply.

But Monday night Snowzilla rose up anyway, a snowman some 20 feet high, with a chunky figure, wearing his usual fat red mittens and giant black hat.

Snowzilla is a bit of fun for most of Anchorage, a sight that people drive to see and photograph their kids with. He makes you smile.

He's also become a national celeb. Hundreds of thousands of people around the country read news stories about his expected demise.

So now Anchorage's city government has a reputation as a grinch.

And the city was hard-hearted to absolutely forbid the snowman. Limit his life, deal with the traffic, send a patrol through the neighborhood at night to make sure there are no lingering partyers, sure. But don't eliminate an annual tradition that gives many people pleasure.

On Tuesday, after Snowzilla appeared in defiance of a city order, city manager Mike Abbott put out a statement reiterating why the city thinks this snowman shouldn't be allowed. And saying the city doesn't plan any further action until after Christmas.

Fair enough: a reprieve.

The city complains that Billy Powers operates a year-round junk or salvage operation out of his yard and owes more than $100,000 in fines and assessments.

That's a problem, but it's separate from the snowman flap.

Let Snowzilla live.

BOTTOM LINE: The city should limit disruption to the neighborhood but allow a giant snowman for at least a short time at Christmas.

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