Ross brothers ordered to pay fine, remove debris from Christmas display
Two brothers connected to a Ross home that once delighted thousands with a private Christmas light display must pay a fine and remove run-down holiday remnants, other yard debris and large signs with foul language.
Bill and Bob Ansell did not petition Pennsylvania Supreme Court within 30 days to appeal an Aug. 13 Commonwealth Court decision upholding a magistrate's order fining Bill and Bob Ansell $300 and $100, respectively.
Allegheny County Common Pleas Court previously upheld the magistrate's decision that the Ansells were guilty of Ross code violations for decapitated plastic choristers and other rubbish cluttering the yard and for prohibited signs containing foul, vulgar language directed at neighbors and township officials.
Ross officials are weighing how to best restore civility at the Fairley Road property, owned by Bob Ansell and occupied by Bill Ansell. “The township is now reviewing its options,” said Ross Manager Douglas Sample, adding that a decision “will be sooner than later.”
Pamela Heck lives near the Ansell property and is the target of two signs.
“I believe neighbors should love one another and be hospitable and neighborly and be a community. We used to be that,” she said.
Bill Ansell was not available at the home for comment.
For decades, he delighted many North Hills residents with tens of thousands of lights that covered his home and yard. But about 10 years ago, some neighbors objected to the traffic the display attracted and a roadside campaign conducted to raise money from onlookers for Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, the Salvation Army and the additional electric bill for the lights.
Now, overturned children's pools and plastic tricycles litter the yard. Signs as big as 3-foot-square cover the front of the house.
Bob Ansell said he will abide by the court decision.
“If everybody wants to get together and resolve something, that's fine,” he said.
Bill Zlatos is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-772-6353 or bzlatos@tribweb.com.
