Letter Asking Tenants to Remove Christmas Decor Sparks Anger

UPDATE 12/18/15 at 12:15pm: This story was updated to reflect the name of the apartment complex as New Paltz Apartments, according to letterhead on the note that was posted by someone who says they are also a resident of the apartment complex.

UPDATE 12/18 at 12:44pm: Additional information from residents and a photo of the alleged letter have been added.

A letter purported to be from a New Paltz apartment complex calling Christmas decor "offensive" was posted online, angering some Hudson Valley residents.

The letter was photographed and posted to the a Highland community group on Facebook called "The Crazies." It reads as follows:

It has come to our attention that some tenants have put out holiday decor that is offensive to others who may or may not celebrate this holiday season upon us. This only pertains to the outside of the buildings and on doorway entrances or back entrances to apartments...

 

Therefore, effective immediately please remove any items from outside of your apartment entrances or back entrances and please do so no later than Friday, December 18, 2015. Failure to adhere to our notice will leave as no other choice but to have maintenance remove the items and dispose of them accordingly.

The letter was signed from "management" and included a letter head that says it is from New Paltz Apartments on Meadowbrook Circle in New Paltz. When we called to find out more information a representative at the provided phone number stated the letter was a "hoax" and that she was certain that it was not sent out to the residents of the complex.

The employee declined to give her name and told us she would need to check before making any more comments about the matter. As of the publishing of this article, a representative of the company has yet to get back to us. We have also not received a reply to our request for comment from the person who posted the letter online.

Other residents, however, have spoken out confirming that they did, indeed, receive the letter. One person, who wishes to remain anonymous, told us that the policy of no decorations has been in place for at least 3 years. This year's letter about offensive decor, according to the resident, arrived after she says a neighbor complained about a cross that was on someone's door. The resident says that the policy is also in effect for other holidays, including the 4th of July.

Many apartment complexes have strict rules about what decorations can or cannot be put up in public areas. Residents say they are most upset with the wording that classifies the Christmas decor as "offensive." Perhaps if the apartment complex just stuck to stating their official policy on all decorations there would not be such a reaction from residents.

In the meantime, people online are weighing in with their thoughts about the letter. Facebook user Greg Hice commented "Political correctness has gone just to far. I believe what I believe,you believe what you believe AND THAT'S IT!! As long as it isn't causing anybody any physical harm or you're trying to shove it down their throat." Other Facebook users had similar comments to share.

We want to know what you think. Are outdoor holiday decorations indeed "offensive" to others who do not celebrate the same holidays? Please share your thoughts in our comments section below or on our Facebook page.