BALDWIN, Pa.,None — A Baldwin man has decided to take down the 24-foot illuminated cross in his yard that sparked a dispute with his neighbor.
Carl Behr said he removed the cross from his Robbins Street yard, saying it was too disruptive. He said he needs to be more humble and take a different approach to spreading his faith.
"I understand I'm trying to show what I believe in, but I'm starting to become the story instead of what I'm trying to spread. I decided this isn't' the right way to go. I gotta be more humble about it," Behr.
Behr received a notice Monday ordering him to remove the cross from his property within five days, because he didn't get the necessary permits to place it there.
Borough manager John Barrett told Channel 11 News that the order to take down the cross has nothing to do with religious freedom, but following regulations to ensure safety.
"The fact that it's a cross is irrelevant right now. It could be a field goal post or any structure, and it would fall under this zoning classification," said Barrett.
Barrett said the cross is considered a structure and there are height and location restrictions that homeowners must follow.
A neighbor across the street said the large, light-up cross shines into her living room and bedroom. Lisa Fera said the problems started after she complained about Behr parking vehicles from his construction business in front of her house.
"The cross at night lights up my entire front yard, my living room and my bedroom," Fera said. "First night, they kept it on until 12:30 a.m. and it was only shut off because police went to their house."
Behr told Channel 11 News that he loves the Lord and wants to spread the gospel. He said he put the cross up on Super Bowl Sunday, saying there are too many atheists in the world. It was attached to a pine tree and was illuminated with holiday lights.
"If I can get just one person to look at that and think about the Lord, like a lost sheep coming back," said Behr.
However, Fera contended a good Christian would respect his neighbors.
"If you love the Lord and you have faith then you would respect your boundaries and your neighbors," said neighbor Lisa Fera.
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