Story Archive

Electric Avenue

Leslie and John Reamer’s Halloween display is a family tradition — and it gets bigger every year. “We go big, or we go home,” said Leslie. This year, however, someone complained. The display in front of their Midlothian, Va., home included a realistic mockup of a man in an electric chair. “To any passersby it looks like a dead man,” said an anonymous caller. “How am I supposed to explain that to my kids while we wait at the red light? I shouldn’t have to. It is tasteless and extremely offensive.” But city officials said they weren’t going to do anything about it. “As long as Halloween displays are on private property and not in the right-of-way, they are not regulated,” said Don Kappel of the Chesterfield County Public Affairs office. The local police also shrugged. The Reamers say they’re not trying to make trouble. “It’s all for fun,” said Leslie, and offered a suggestion. “Children are easily misdirected. If they go...what’s that?, [then] point at the pumpkin and say ‘look at the pumpkin!’” (MS/WWBT Richmond) ...As long as it’s not next to the fake guillotine.