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Way up in Alaska a snowman embraces the constant snow and the cold and brings a smile to faces that see too little light at the winter solstice. I imagine that some Alaskans have a pretty bad case of seasonal affective disorder leading them to complain about traffic and noise. To them I recommend light treatments and omega 3 fatty acids and getting some exercise…I dunno…maybe taking a walk to see a great big huge pipe smoking snowman. I love snow people. They’re not about religion or politics (unless forced into the political arena as has happened to Snowzilla) or social hierarchies. They are just about fun and having a joyful spirit. In the case of Frosty the Snowman, they’re about magic. Part of living in the land of the free is allowing people to be FREE in their pursuit of happiness. And there’s no doubt at all that Snowzilla is about happiness.
Annie Who

It is a wonderful thing that whomever builds this snowman can do this. What memories the community will have for years to come. The children will talk about it for years. A tradition that not many folks in this country have to remember. It is a shame that the government can’t get rid of the scrooge in them and perhaps build it on a land where there wouldn’t be a problem. Perhaps even build more. That would be a site I would want to come visit someday. This could be an attraction to bring in revenues to your town and instead they only complain about traffic. You live in a snow town folks. Take advantage of it and bring out the child in you! A note to the builders……keep up the good work….we all need to have the freedom that the constitution allows us and god bless you.
Semper Fi!

I wish I had the cash to give so that you could fight these grumpy farts.
I understand you have 7 kids. God bless you!
Come on! It’s not any worse than someone having a million lights on their house.
How long will this big boy last? Will he ever melt?
I hope whoever built him had great fun!! (wink wink nudge nudge)
Enjoy the Holidays! May the Higher Power bless your house against the evil and protect you against their negative attacks.
Michael

In support of the Snowzilla cause I created these graphics for anyone to use if they want.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/leadiv/3137852247/
I also have sidebar versions on my site:
http://leadiv.com/projects/snowzilla/sidebar.viva.snowzilla.jpg
http://leadiv.com/projects/snowzilla/sidebar.red.viva.snowzilla.jpg
http://leadiv.com/projects/snowzilla/sidebar.blue.viva.snowzilla.jpg
Just wanted to pass this along to you guys. Wish I could be up there to see Snowzilla!
viva snowzilla!!!
Paulb.

IF IT GETS TO BAD THERE, WE WILL HAVE TO CREATE AN UNDERGROUNG RAILROAD AND SHIP SNOWZILLA TO MY NEIGHBORHOOD. WISCONSIN OFFERS A REFUGE TO ALL SNOWMEN AND SNOW-WOMEN. AMERICANS UNITE AGAINST THE SNOWPEOPLE HATERS. E-MAIL OBAMA CAUSE HE CAN FIX ANYTHING.
Margie Nelsen

Neighbors should join the festivities
I love your magic snowman. How fun and what a joy he brings. If I lived in your neighborhood I’d turn all the traffic into something positive. Like setting up a hot chocolate stand for my kids and encourage my neighbors to do the same with Christmas crafts and hot apple cider etc. To bad your neighbors can’t be as creative as you and your children are at this wonderful time of the year when we all get have a never ending childhood.
Cindy Sasur

This is the best! When I saw the pictures of the protesting snowmen, I almost lost it. Greetings from Connecticut and this story was one of the best Christmas presents I got this year. GO SNOWZILLA!
Donna Fillie

Next year I would like to read about 2(two) snowzilla’s appearing in the powers yard
Howard Hansen

So if they ban your snowman, are they going to ban christmas lights too? me and my family go driving through all sorts of neighborhoods to look at the decorations, lights, snow, ice everything…its part of the holiday’s, are they saying they dont like the traffic? Some houses are so lit up by christmas lights, airplanes can see them, but they arent asked to take them down…SnowZilla goes right along with the lights, even if its not a holiday thing, its a seasonal thing…and snowmen are NOT BAD.. MORE POWER TO YOU POWERS!!! Dont let the haters bring you down! we need more like you in every town
Jean

Some politicians just can’t stand to see others getting popular attention. Also, there are neighbors that, no matter what, cannot let others just be who they are! Snowzilla should be allowed to exsist. If anything, for the sake of the kids that enjoy it!
Plovato

If this is the biggest problem this town is facing, they should be counting their blessings. Maybe town officials should pass a resolution to ban snow all together in Alaska!
Susan

Go snowzilla go!! I can’t believe people want to destroy snowmen, I mean come on really…what is the world coming to when you can’t go outside in the snow as a family and have some nice,legal,safe fun. Then you have others that come and look at snowzilla and they stop and smile maybe take a few pics, wow that is so horrible isn’t it…life is so short,relax and enjoy the little things. Go snowzilla go!!
Dana Buchfuhrer

If it’s not Utah?
sounds like the over powering government here in Utah, some big wig got part of snowzillas carrot nose up his ass and now is butt hurt.So for revenge he must curse snowzilla.Small neighborhood? You ought to see the x-mas light show in some guys yard in salt lake city, High 5 goes to his neighborhood for putting up with taking an hour to get home when with in 50 feet of their own home.Come on government pull the carrot out of your ass and get with the holiday spirit( at least in front of the children)
Sharlene

Look, I’d like to start by saying I hate Christmas, and the finacial racket it has become. I’m the Grinch of my town, but I can’t help but smile when I see Snowzilla.
Nobody is making a profit off of it, its pure. Those godless communists need to leave it alone.
Joseph Kelly

I agree with Ron M.. Love you Snowzilla, have you seen your distant relative in Maine? www.bethelmainesowwoman.com.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! Plano, Texas
Joyce

Change in AK
Ever think of BILLY POWERS for mayor? timing is everything………..
Jeff

Extended family
Also wouldn’t it be great if snowzilla’s family just started showing up all over Ankorage. Spending the holidays with family is nice
Paula Lewis

We think you’re cool. And you have a great, laid-back sense of humor. Don’t let the goofballs get you down!
Alison

what are you paying him to do?
Hard earned taxed dollars are going to the policing of a snow man? WOW!!!!! We would be blessed to have snowzilla in Brunswick, Georgia. If the temperature ever drops, please come visit. Snowzilla needs some southern hospitality from a mayor with a joyous spirit.
PS- you would think at some point that these officials would realize that it is a tourist attraction type thing, which brings in money…. in a sluggish economy…. HELLO!!!
Paula Lewis

Snowman Tax
Don’t worry, as soon as the government employees figure out how to tax the snowman, and add money to their benefit and pension funds, it will be OK with them. Go snowman, next start a tea party!
Ted Taxit I think Snowzilla is beautiful! We rarely get snow in Central Arkansas, so I think it is great! We had a similar case here regarding Christmas lights at the Osborne house in Little Rock. The displays did back up traffic in both directions on a major street, even to the freeway, so the neighbors won the lawsuit. Since then, the Osbornes have donated their lights to the Hot Springs Parks and usually purchase fire works for the 4th & other events in Little Rock. So maybe you can build it again next year at a local park. Good Luck! Wendy Simmons We support Snowzilla From Massachusetts
Good Morning-
What is all the commotion about? A peaceful snowman??? Some people must have very boring lives if this is all they have to get up in arms about!!! Why not spend your precious time with your kids building a snow pet for Snowzilla? Time with your spent in that type of endeavour with your family is time they will remember 25 Thanksgivings from now.
If I had enough snow, I would have Snowzilla’s cousin in my front yard! Cynthia Barry, Lynn, Massachusetts

Snowzilla 2009!
I have an idea.
Why not ask permission to build a mega snowzilla in an empty field or some sports field? Perhaps a park where people could drive past it without making others lives miserable. I can’t imagine what parking or driving home must be for people who live anyplace close to snowzilla.
Please let me know what the outcome of this is!
Ken Tyler

Puh-leeze.Don’t people have something more important to complain about? Like the person who just cut in front of you in line at the store? I think Snowzilla is just good old fashioned wintertime fun! Cheers and long live Snowzilla!! I want to go build one right now here in Connecticut….wish we had that much snow!
Chip

Be Nice
The town and neighborhood needs to stop the stupid actions against this man. If Alaska wants to stay visitor friendly they need to begin again, - forgive all the foolish fines against this man and let the snowman be.
Can you even imagine how much harm you are doing to Alaska’s imagine - and your Governor has certaintly done enough for one year.
Linda

I live in Texas and I think it is great that someone is trying to share a little Christmas joy. This is the time of year for happiness. Look at it this way, his neighbors do not have to worry about the snow in their yards. He is not robbing a bank or anything. I think that the Officals should get together and coordinate a safe traffic flow so everyone can enjoy the spirit of Christmas. He has the SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS. It is something free that he is trying to share with others and his kids. It sounds like there are some Scrooges in Office.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND MAY GOD BLESS
Beverly

Apologies to Blue Oyster Cult!
With a purposeful grimace and a terrible sound
He pulls the city council’s men down
Helpless people on a snowmobile
Scream bug-eyed as he makes a goofy
face with an orange peel
He picks up a moose and he throws it back down
As he wades through the tourists toward the center of town
Oh no, they say hes got to go
Go go Snowzilla, yeah
Oh no, there goes tokyo
Go go Snowzilla, yeah
Lobster Chuckles

This is just one awesome snowman. I showed my children and they thought it was the coolest thing. Why is that street not able to handle the traffic, it looks fine to me. How can the city tell a person that they can not build a snowman? This seems to me that the city officals are looking for ways to CONTROL what people do in their own yards! I say go for it, and keep building the Snowzilla cause it is beautiful, and it is Christmas. Maybe the ba-hum-bugs will find a Christmas Spirit!!
Amy Hamilton

Email the Anchorage City Hall and Voice Your Opinion
Do you feel outraged?
Take the time to email Mayor Mark Begich and City Hall.
Here are the names and email addresses:
Mark Begich the Mayor of Anchorage
Mayor’s Office Email: Mayor@ci.anchorage.ak.us
Michael Abbott - Municipal Manager Municipal Manager
Email: AbbottMK@ci.anchorage.ak.us
Julie Hasquet, the Mayor’s Office Special Assistant
Email: HasquetJM@ci.anchorage.ak.us
Concerned American

HGTV should come to the rescue!
Okay, if Mr. Power’s home is not up to code and he’s been fined - why hasn’t he been sent to jail? hmmmm….
I think HGTV should get on this and build him a house for him and his seven children and also erect a permanent iron form that they can build their snowman around. Put the house on it’s OWN street on a culdesac and let the eternal fun begin!!!!
Liz McCall, Shreveport, LA

I love your snowman!
If I were you, I’d take out an insurance policy in case someone did something stupid (like climb on it and fall and get hurt). Anytime you defy a city order it sets you up for the thing you loved most becoming your undoing!
Please protect yourself so we can all enjoy Snowzilla for years to come!
Merry Christmas! and Build on…
Liz So, what I would like to know is:
Are Anchorage-ites who decorate their property with Christmas lights causing a problem with traffic or neighbors as well, and…are they charged by the City as well? If the City has nothing better to do than drag you through the court process over something like this, they surely must not have enough work to do! Perhaps they could trim some money out of the annual budget by cutting back on employees or annual raises in salary. Or maybe, even better, they could get back to work on things that truly matter and make a difference in how well the City is run. As more news of these attempts to “murder” Snowzilla get out across the country and world, how many people will want to tour Anchorage when they find out the City is against beautiful things and holiday decorating? Maybe they ought to think about that while they’re sitting there in their offices with all that overpaid free time on their hands! Marie VanRiper

The Anchorage newspaper says that all but ONE neighbor supports this Snowzilla. It just figures - one cranky hateful person tries to ruin things for everyone else. Heaven forbid someone should show some creativity that brings laughter or whatever to a TON of people… oh no! There’s always that ME ME ME person that b1tches and moans. Shame on that neighbor. Go Snowzilla! And the snow protesters… brilliant!
Beth

What is it with mayors who focus on petty crap and not the real problems that take place in their cities?
Dave Hey Billy!
That is the most beautiful and biggest snowman I’ve ever seen! I could only
dream of building a snowman that big. “I live Ohio” sadly, it does’nt snow here a whole lot..and not enough snow to make a biggie Frosty like yours. I fully support SnowZilla! He’s beautiful!!!!! All those haters need to leave him alone! “GO SNOWZILLA!!!!”
p.s. may I post a picture of snowzilla on myspace page?
Have a great Holiday!
Sincerely, Lish, Ohio Having run collections myself, may I offer the following suggestion?
Make the list of donators in order of highest amount donated at the top, to lowest at the bottom.
What this will do is spark a bidding competition for top placement, som,eone who was going to just donate $20 will go “heck, $25 will get me up a notch”
Just my $0.02, hope it helps! J

Snowzilla’s home in Anchorage is a very friendly neighborhood. Everyone in the neighborhood loves Snowzilla. In reality, there is just one neighbor who is the ‘constant complainer’ and they live on a different street.
I was visiting Snowzilla last night and the ’sense of community’ was beautiful. Adults and children were smiling and jolly. Total strangers from near and far exchanged happy interactions; taking each others family photos and exchanging greetings. It really felt that the holiday spirit was alive and well.
Snowzilla meets good people on Mainstreet, not Wallstreet.
All for free, all for fun!
Peggy

I think the snow man is great…. and as far as the city goes, they like to dictate everything and anything… I am not sure the full logistics of the amount owed to them for whatever reason, but if its over a snow man then they surely need to get a life and move on… The sun will melt him in due time… but if you know you owe them for things then due under ceasar what is his, and to the Lord what is the Lords…. Have a merry Christmas..
Jeannie

Exactly what is the problem? It’s just a frickin snowman! Let this man and his family enjoy the holidays the way they choose.
He’s got 7 kids?! Let them have fun!!!!!
That’s just my opinion.
Jason, Phoenix, AZ, Formerly of Ketchican, Alaska Wow!!!! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Never seen a Snowzilla before! Hurray! And yes… he’s handsome… just as cute as can be with those gangly long arms, red mittens, carrot nose, and H-U-G-E Black Top Hat!
This is the happiest time of the year for many, many folks, and if you haven’t noticed the faces in the interview… those people are a-smilin’ and a-grinnin!
City fathers (and mothers) who complain about the wear and tear on city streets, “ya-ta-ta-ta, ya-ta-ta-ta,” remind me of a bunch of old saints who gripe cause 20 to a 100 kids in a church youth group each week are “gonna ruin the carpet!”
Are you kidding me?!!! You can replace things but you cannot replace people or that wonderful spirit that resides within them…
Ask any Youth Pastor if he would like to have a group of kids like that out every week for the Sunday Evening and Midweek Services, not to mention Summer Activities from June through August!
Maybe somebody in your town is just jealous. Maybe you all need to sit down with crayons and coloring books, and color outside the lines once a week… I had a friend who became a successful graphic artist, and she insisted on taking her crayons and coloring books to the University until the day she graduated! She loved colors… loved to color… and she loves kids, too!
Maybe you folks are just missin’ the big picture… especially after the Election of 2008.
By the way, a big shoutout to Senator John McCain for introducing the world to Governor Sarah Palin - who wasn’t ashamed to give a shoutout to those kids back home during her big debate with Senator Joe Biden. I’ll bet those kids were a smilin’ and a grinnin’ when she did that, and they’ll always remember her for it, too! Too bad news and adults had to make such a fuss about it…
Folks - look around you. Everything you see began as an idea, a dream, in someone’s mind.
Remember Walt Disney?! How could we forget?! That one man has changed our entire world… he left it a better, better place than he found it… and yes, just like Disneyland, Disneyworld, and all their locations around the world, everyone of us is still a ‘work in progress’!
If you’ve got a LOT of smiling, happy folk driving by to see Snowzilla, you’ve got assets you’re not taking into account! Why not make a secure food drive out of this for your local food bank? You’ve already got everyone’s attention, so why not show the world how to use a “Snowzilla” for leverage?!
Just mention that you’ve created a ‘Drive-by Food Bank” and viewers can drop off a bag of staples or canned goods or new socks and T-shirts, and new toothbrushes, etc. etc., etc. for the homeless and hungry! There’s all kinds of wonderful possibilities before you, and people love to get on board a train that’s bound for glory!!!
Remember Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas”, and the “The Music Man” with Robert Preston and Shirley Jones? Those will get you to thinkin’.
Maybe seniors in your town need a major fundraiser to help with medical bills for terminal illnesses. Maybe local children are in a place like Dornbecher’s Childrens Hospital in Portland, Oregon, and families desperately need your help. Perhaps a family lost their home, and all their belongings in a recent fire. Maybe you have a lot of homeless folks up there… Maybe you could ask for donations to pay off the debt to the city… just keep an honest open tally with a big red rising thermometer next to SNOWZILLA!
Maybe you could alo set up an outdoor stage, bring in local talent, and use Snowzilla for the background. Make it an Annual Event! Your local High School Students, and maybe their choir, can be part of that talent… maybe even their band, the dance team… and parents and students, alike, would love to man a snack bar with Hot Chocolate, etc. Funds could help their Music, Arts, or Sports Departments. People will come from miles around!
You’ve got a wonderfully creative, inspirational bunch of supportive, spirited folks right there in your town that many cities could and would envy. On top of that, you’ve got a Governor that’s an outright modern day ‘Annie Oakley’… a female ‘Teddy Roosevelt’ who is willing to fight on the ‘frontlines’ for you.
So… dear “City Fathers”… please put on your top hats and spats, grab your canes, your coats, your woman or significant other, and start ’singin’ and a-dancin’! Wall Street doesn’t hold the keys to the kind of riches you own! Put your heads together, and start the New Year ‘making lemonade’ out of what you now think is ‘just a bunch of lemons.’
What have you got to lose? You might gain more respect for each other, and inspire other towns to take stock of their own assets, too! The world will love ya’!
GO FOR IT! You’ve got our attention!We’ll be watchin’ to see what you will do with
“that which is in your hands!”
Merry Christmas, and GOD bless you, and your community! All the Best to You in 2009! Susan in Sheridan, OR

Hey , we love SnowZilla, we should create one in every town, it’s a great idea, and we should continue to fight some of those ridiculous laws set by our mayors, eldermen…!!
Juan Mendez This is classic.
Their is always that “one neighbor” that doesn’t like anything.
I wish I still had my 100 acre farm-house to create my own version.
I also love the protesting snowmen/women at your town hall.
I just think its great. It’s perfect for the holiday’s. It gets people’s mind off of all the other crap going on world-wide……..have some fun with it and most of all, enjoy it! Eric, Ontario, Canada

Not Billy’s Fault
what i don’t understand is why billy should be in trouble because other people are interested in looking at something he built. it isn’t his problem people are curious and the roads are designed for all the gawkers. why not kick the vistors out instead of blaming the resident for building something fun for his family in his yard.
Ben Herbert

Why not just send Snowzilla here to Texas. He can hang out with us, well at least for a few days.
Keep the faith!
Tina in Texas I have to copy and paste Nick’s comment, it is so fitting and perfect…………..Society has gone waaaaaaaay too far with something as down home as a snowman, a big one mind you but still a snowman.
Merry Christmas first off!! Come on Americans, can we get over ourselves with the constant ba humbug and that offends me crap over every little thing someone does to have and spread a little joy in the world??!! This whole political correctness thing is getting very old and very depressing, enough already! If you dont like a giant snowman then dont look. If you dont like a Manger display no matter where it is then dont look at it! But, stop limiting other American’s right to have a joyous religious Christmas. From what I have read and seen on Snowzilla the city seems to have been harassing this Powers guy for many years. Snowzilla seems safely made and displayed to me. Rock on brother! Nick I sure want to see that gigantic snowzilla in person. but its imposible. i live here in the philippines. i was thinking why wont you just conceive him somewhere else “safer” so just the darn city officials wont bug you. but then again, having a 25 feet snowzilla in your yard sure is a heck of a fun.
More power to you powers. Jethro Paras

Snowzilla is so cute,
and friendly
yet harmless.
Please let Snowzilla stay,
and set Billy free from fines.
Exee from Malaysia, a country that doesn’t ever snow.

Citizens RightsHow does the city of Anchorage, Alaska get off telling a land owning citizen that he can no longer make a snowman on his property. I can see that the political idiotic ideas of anti family and Christmas fun have made it to Alaska too. Mr. Billy Powers, perhaps you could erect a 25 foot snow manger scene next year. Have one very large angel towering over the wise men, Mary and baby Jesus. Let’s see how much more stupidity would come out of city hall over something like that. I can picture in my mind a very large Angel with wings that closely resembles a snowman. Then add in the manger scene. Don’t your city hall have better things to worry about?
Tim

The only thing that I can see is that the city is angry over back taxes if this is true and are trying to make your life difficult. Keep doing what you are doing. I see nothing wrong with a little traffic congestion and extra people coming to the neighborhood. It may serve your neighbors well to set up a cocoa stand and welcome the guests and even sing Christmas carols with the motorists. The city may even be able to make money off the attraction if these people eat locally and if carriage rides are offered. In other words make the best of it and make something out of an idea…hey there’s a concept!!! Kudos!!!!
Bill Wilson from Xenia, Ohio.

I think snowzilla is awesome and i believe anyone who thinks otherwise can either not look at him or leave alaska. we already pay high prices for everything so now we have to leave our imagination behind i dont think so and as for getting back at the neighbors if they dont like him piss off. ha ha ha city officials are just looking for something else to complain about and get on the news for like they always say someone wants thier 15 minutes of fame. so i say rock on snowzilla
Joshua Roland

Mr Powers,
I can see several reasons why the city is trying to shut you down.
First, you failed to file an Environmental impact study for the approval to erect such a structure. Lord only knows what adverse affects your snowman has on local area wild life. What if a bird flies into the side of your snowman and is killed?
Second, you failed to take out a snowman building permit, depriving the city of desperately needed revenue.
Third, you thoroughly embarrassed the public works department by building such a large structure over night for under 27.5 million dollars.
You should be ashamed of your self!
Bob

I am a resident of Alaska and i love the snowman. most places in the world could only wish to have. it is terribly sad to see such chaos about it!
kirstan doughty

I think that it is great that you have Snowzilla. There is nothing wrong with entertaining alot af adults and kids. What is the diffrence between a large light display, or a large snowman? As for safty just rope off the yard. Every town has its handfull of jerks, I know we do too. Keep on fighting for this. If our snow here would get sticky enough I would love to build one in my yard. Sarah Palin, stick up for Snowzilla!!!!!!!!!!! Good Luck, Rosie
Rosie Dickson–Lake City, MN Law Against Snowzilla
They say that Snowzilla is a safety hazzard? Issue a stop-work order? I didn’t know that SNOW required a building permit or had construction codes.. what is the legal height limit of a snowman? Where can I look up this building code?
The city is upset about the amount of people that come to see it? Are these people fighting or just coming together peacefully to see a snowzilla? Hmmm.. Didn’t I learn somewhere that we have the right to peaceably assemble in the U.S.A.? I may be mistaken…
Here’s an idea. You ever heard of the Giant Spaghetti Monster? He’s the icon of a RELIGION. A kid in school was getting in trouble for dressing as a pirate, but he countered that it was his religion and WON.
I hereby declare that SnowZilla is my religious icon!
“Whoever” it is that re-built him despite the cease and desist? You are a true american. Do what you like on your land sir, and let no government body tell you otherwise. Is there a house for sale on your block? If they win the case, I’d like to go across the street and make an army of snowzilla’s. Your mayor can kiss my NEW YORK ***! Anthony