Woodland Decides Against Voting On Roadside Memorial Ban

WOODLAND (CBS13) -- He was killed nearly two decades ago, and the thought of having to take his memorial down was devastating news to the man's father.

George Mahshi's son Omar died in a crash and George has been caring for a giant roadside memorial for 17 years, coming to sweep the site every day. He built an elaborate memorial for his son, complete with plants, trees, lights and irrigation.

"This is painful, very painful. I'm talking and I'm crying inside. I'm hurting," George told CBS13's Steve Large on Tuesday night.

The city had been set to consider the ban on memorials during its council meeting later Tuesday night, but instead decided against taking up the ban -- for now.

Public Works had recommended the ban because "they create problems with the city as far as a hazard for driving and for the walking public," Public Works Director Greg Meyer said.

A city report also said the memorials can also lead to lawsuits with Constitutional issues on religious symbols

Meyer said it isn't an issue an issue of the city lacking compassion, but George Mahshi disagrees.

"My message is leave these people's grief alone," he said. "And let them grieve the way they grieve. Each person grieves in their own way."

Mahsi said the family came from Lebanon for Omar because he wanted to be a space engineer. He was 21, a UC Davis graduate who NASA had accepted as an intern.

"He was our inspiration, our life, you know?" Mahsi said.

It wasn't immediately clear when, or if, the roadside memorial ban would go before the council for a vote. If it passes, those tending to memorials would have 21 days to remove belongs.