Loya Christmas Display To Go On Despite Neighbor Complaints
It’s a Christmas spectacle that draws thousands over the holiday season to the upscale Los Paseos neighborhood in East El Paso, and now it appears the show will go on at the home of insurance man Fred Loya.
The Loyas told ABC-7 they’ve been scratching their heads over neighbor complaints that have surfaced ahead of this Friday’s first show, a synchronized presentation of lights and Christmas music.
Los Paseos resident Geoffrey Becker said he’s no Grinch; he just wants to be able to enjoy his neighborhood this holiday season.
Becker took his concerns before the city council on Tuesday.
“I appreciate what (Loya) is doing; I think his heart is in the right place,” Becker said. “It just brings a lot of congestion to the neighborhood, a lot of problems and a lot of trash.”
Becker added he thinks the light display has simply outgrown the neighborhood.
“It’s like trying to play the Super Bowl in a high school stadium,” he quipped.
Eastside City Rep. Dr. Mike Noe has been playing referee between both sides. Following Tuesday’s meeting, Noe said he spoke with Loya and with Becker.
According to an email forwarded to ABC-7, Noe said Loya has agreed to expand the area covered by a hired cleaning crew and add trash cans.
The Socorro Independent School District said Loya’s office also filed the necessary paperwork to once again free up the nearby Montwood High parking lot to accommodate the overflow traffic.
Loya’s assistant, Barbara Lopez, said 11 police officers have been hired to monitor vehicle and pedestrian traffic in the area.
Lopez, who invited ABC-7 onto the Loya property for a look at the lights, said this is the first time in five years that any neighbors have filed formal complaints.
“There have never been any traffic accidents and never any reports of vandalism,” Lopez said.
The Loya light display will have three nightly showinga every Friday, Saturday and Sunday between now and Christmas. The scheduled times are at 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.
