INNISFIL - A resolution appears to have been reached between the Town of Innisfil and a resident accused of a bylaw infraction related to their Halloween decorations.
Recently, the town received a complaint about an obstructed traffic view regarding a display on Vance Crescent. The town says the complaint was reviewed by its bylaw enforcement staff due to the “additional concern” of the nearby St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School.
“A Town of Innisfil bylaw officer attended the residential property and observed that the structure appeared to obstruct the road view and requested the tent be placed on the driveway of the property,” the municipality said in an Oct. 23 statement. “The resident of the property indicated this was not possible. However, they came to an agreement that the resident would raise the walls of the structure allowing for clear sight lines and remove it after Halloween.”
The town’s statement was released a day after a person who claims to be living on the property — located at the Vance and Anna Maria Avenue intersection — took to the popular ‘Alcona Chats’ Facebook group to urge Innisfil to “do better.”
“I am absolutely heartbroken and angry that I even have to come on here to say this,” wrote Courtney Rumble-Molnar on Oct. 22. “(We work) tirelessly every year to provide an amazing Halloween experience to our neighbourhood and community with our Halloween display. This year we were putting on a haunted house walk through. Something new, that we have never done before and have spent many days and nights working on.
“Today the town … showed up and said that they have received a complaint from someone in our area and that the structures must be removed. I am so beyond upset. It saddens me how much this town has changed. This town is no longer that small town that once was festive, inclusive and had strong family feel that we all use to know and love.”
Hundreds of comments — mostly rushing to the defence of the display — were left across multiple posts in the group.
“Having this property shut down is (despicable),” wrote Joanne Durham. “What a joke. Town of Innisfil, you should be ashamed of yourselves.”
Others said the house is simply helping to keep the Halloween spirit alive.
“We drove by this house on Vance and I think that is going to be one hell of a haunted house,” wrote Kelly Grace Dunn. “The kids and adults are going to love going through there. Great job! What I don’t understand is why someone complained about it. What was the complaint? Personally, I think there are some very jealous people out there.”
Numerous attempts to reach Rumble-Molnar for an interview were unsuccessful.
However, Rumble-Molnar wrote a followup post Wednesday, thanking residents for their support, and requesting that they make no further comments on the matter. Rumble-Molnar promised to update the community if necessary and encouraged everyone to drop by the site on Oct. 31.