Town shows no love for reindeer display

The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort staff members decorated the reindeer display on the property with hearts in honor of Valentine’s Day. But not everyone loves the reindeer.

Longboat Key Code Enforcement Officer Heidi Micale gave the Colony a verbal warning last week after noticing the "en-deering" display. Micale said the reindeer and other Christmas decorations fall under an exempt signs category in town codes and can only remain in place for 45 days per occasion — meaning that even if the display were set up on Christmas Day, the reindeer should have headed back to the North Pole by Feb. 7.

But Colony President/General Manager Katie Moulton said she hopes to work with the town so that the reindeer can stay in place. She said that her father, Colony owner and chairman Dr. Murf Klauber had planned to decorate the reindeer for holidays throughout the year.

“They add a little humor,” Moulton said. “Plus, there’s very limited lighting in that area and with those it’s easier for people to see the property.”

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].