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The costumes, music and animated antics of crossing guard Chris Miller at Walker Elementary and Ashland Middle schools are no more. Since September, Miller has been decking himself out in wigs, hats and colorful garb, in imitation of various local or famous people, but was summoned Tuesday to the office of Walker Principal Patty Michaels and told to stop, he said Wednesday. While many kids, parents and teachers reacted with amusement to the unique act, Miller was told that a crossing guard manual from the state of Oregon says that anything drawing attention from the guard’s reflective vest and warning sign is not appropriate. Miller got a call last week from Ashland School District’s Student Services office asking him to stop, he says. Miller responded by asking for a copy of dress regulations, he says, and those were reviewed at the meeting, which included school district Business Director Greg Lecuyer. “This chapter is closed. They absolutely told me 'no costumes,'” said Miller, who wore jeans and a black coat and hat at crossings on Wednesday. Miller was contacted by the American Civil Liberties Union in Portland, but has been playing phone tag with them, he notes. “Today, parents, motorists, kids and teachers all were saying ‘where’s the costume?’ and I said I’d been instructed to cease and desist.  “It’s over, as far as I’m concerned,” he said. “I don’t want this to become a divisive issue in the community.” Miller, a school district employee for seven years, said he will write a letter to district Superintendent Jay Hummel, apologizing for using his name on a sign supporting freedom of speech. He carried the sign earlier this week. Miller said he was informed the antics could be distracting to motorists but that his intention was the opposite, to draw their attention to signs warning to slow down and stay off cell phones. Miller would dress up in a different costume each day, portraying Groucho Marx, Bob Marley, Edith Piaf and many others, but emphasized it did not reduce his awareness of where kids and cars were or lessen the safety of students. Calls to Michaels and Lecuyer on Wednesday afternoon were not returned before the end of the day. John Darling is a freelance writer living in Ashland. Email him at [email protected].