Posted on 04/02/2010 12:44:22 PM PDT by SmithL
LIVERMORE — It's a finable offense in some parts of Alameda County to light any sign — including the sign of the cross, say county officials, who have pulled the plug on a familiar religious landmark near the Altamont Pass.
Most motorists traveling east on I-580 can't help but notice the 580-foot-by-300-foot cross with the words "Jesus Saves" visible on a hillside from the north side of the freeway.
Until a couple months ago, the brightness of the carving rivaled that of the Las Vegas Strip most nights of the week. Strands of generator-powered Christmas lights stretching a third of a mile illuminated the symbol, which has been painstakingly maintained for the past eight years by a local Bible study group.
But there will be no lights on the cross this Easter — or for the foreseeable future.
The county has sent several notices to the out-of-state owners of the unincorporated agricultural land, warning them they could be fined $250 or more if they don't lose the lights, said Lacy Starling of the county's code enforcement division. She cited a county code that prohibits illuminated signs in agricultural districts.
"Because they're lighting it up, even though it's cut into the ground, it's considered (a sign),"
(Excerpt) Read more at contracostatimes.com ...
This is in rural Alameda County. The Western side of the County is home to Oakland & Berkeley.
Could people climb the hill? People should bring their own lights and congregate there.
Lit candles would be good.
Obama?
Good luck!
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