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Dead Serious

“People are mad because it’s filled with zombies,” claims Jasen Dixon of the Rossmoyne neighborhood of Sycamore Township, Ohio. “It’s not your regular nativity.” That’s not the problem at all, says Township Administrator Greg Bickford. “The township is not anti-zombie or anti-nativity,” he insists. Rather, the problem is, Dixon’s front yard nativity scene is enclosed in a structure, and that’s against zoning regulations. “This is no different than having a garden shed in your front yard,” he said — and the “accessory structure” has to go. “We really don’t care how many zombies he has,” agrees town trustee Tom Weidman. “He needs to get rid of the structure.” Dixon took it down — but only since Christmas is over. He is asking for donations to make it bigger and better for next year. “It’s all about freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and freedom of speech,” Dixon says on the donations page, adding that “100% of the money will go into next years seen [sic].” (RC/Community Press) ...Surely the donors wouldn’t mind some of it being spent on night school.