The Region : Santa Wins in Glendale

A man who played Santa Claus at the White House during six administrations can keep the 52,000 holiday lights and imitation snow outside his Glendale home as long as he does not violate city ordinances, Glendale Mayor Larry Zarian decided. Neighbors had complained that the thousands of handicapped children going and coming to the Christmas-decorated house of Robert George constituted a nuisance and had petitioned to have him removed. But a meeting among George, 63, city officials and George’s attorney, Gloria Allred, resulted in a formal approval for Santa Claus to stay. George, dressed as Santa, emerged from the meeting with Allred, dressed as Santa’s helper. “I’m happy for the children,” he said, fighting back tears. George said President Dwight D. Eisenhower appointed him White House Santa Claus at a 1956 dinner.