CORPUS CHRISTI (Kiii News) -
For one lady who lives on the Southside of Corpus Christi, this Independence Day has turned into something of a nightmare after neighbors gave her grief over the elaborate holiday display she set up at her house.
Elizabeth Pavich lives in the Lakes subdivision, at the corner of Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Bistineau Drive, where the red, white and blue shine brightly. She said lots of folks like her displays, especially on the Fourth of July.
"It makes them feel good that I'm supporting the troops, that they have not been forgotten and they won't be forgotten," Pavich said. "And that's why we are able to do this, and that's why we're free."
An inflatable flag flies, as does a big Uncle Sam. Pavich said she celebrates the holidays as her mother did.
"This is a tradition that my mom always did, and my mom passed away," Pavich said. "Every time that I do it, you know this is for you mom."
But not everyone celebrates the Fourth like Pavich. In fact, some of her neighbors in the ritzy subdivision find it downright bizarre and annoying. Some even say her holiday displays bring down their home values.
Pavich said it's downright hurtful.
"It just hurts my feelings, and I don't understand why someone would go to the extent," she said. "And I thought it was a good thing. I was just happy I was telling them, 'Hey, they're going to put my house in the newspaper.' And all the time it was negativity."
In a phone call, Rick Rivera, president of the Lakes home-owners' association, said the organization has received complaints from some members. Not so much about the displays themselves, but about the length of time they're up. Rivera said Pavich is free to express her views in any way she wants, and that no legal action is planned.
The hopes of the neighbors, however, are that she takes a break in between.
