15 SEP 05: NOW THAT'S A TRANSFORMATION
I pulled into the Columbus Public Library Wednesday afternoon and found two TV news vans parked outside. Either the Library Board was up to something again - or they were seriously double-checking how to pronounce Iraq.
It turns out the Muscogee County Library Board's Art Committee was meeting again. This time, it was considering other ways to spend the $250,000 allocated for Albert Paley's "Transformation" sculpture. And of course, art lovers wouldn't dare invest the money in some stuffy right-wing thing like the stock market.
The Art Committee came up with several ideas for spending the $250,000. Yet one obvious option never was mentioned on the evening news - so this may be the only group in Columbus NOT talking about giving money to hurricane survivors.
One surprising proposal was to use some of the $250,000 for new disabled parking spaces at libraries. Does it cost THAT much money to paint wider stripes in a parking lot?
Another suggestion was to spend some of the $250,000 on library shelving. Now that would be appropriate - tying in perfectly with the shelving of the Albert Paley sculpture idea.
It will be up to the Muscogee County Library Board to make a final decision on how to spend that $250,000. The board's attorneys still are trying to resolve the mess over ordering that sculpture, then backing out. These people don't need "Transformation," they need a transfiguration....
Speaking of libraries: Wednesday's Ledger-Enquirer reported Sylvia Bunn will leave as manager of the Mildred Terry branch in a few weeks. She's a nice caring woman with a Caribbean accent - and unlike some suspected bank robbers, I think her accent is real.
Sylvia Bunn has been active in encouraging reading and library use in the downtown area, especially among children. She even received a certificate for her efforts from The New York Times - which shows how different that newspaper is. The Ledger-Enquirer hands out "Reader's Choice Awards" for things like the best burgers....
With no really big thing happening Wednesday, let's sum up a lot of little things:
+ Columbus Police announced the seizure of 500 pounds of marijuana. One of the suspects in custody is named Harold Hill - yes, as in the main character of "The Music Man." He's got trouble, right here in River City! With a capital T, and that rhymes with P, and that stands for pot.
+ Georgia's Consumer Affairs office announced seven Columbus gas stations are under investigation for possible price gouging. Here's hoping they bring the price of a doughnut down below 75 cents once and for all.
+ The Ledger-Enquirer named Tim Chitwood its new Columbus Council reporter. If you didn't think these meetings were humorous before, maybe now you will....
(Both Tim Chitwood and Richard Hyatt had front-page column-like stories in Wednesday's Ledger-Enquirer. Is it only a matter of time before they co-anchor a newscast on the newspaper's web site?)
+ Delta Air Lines of Atlanta filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection -- two days after a spokesperson said no decision had been reached about it. I think it's safe to call that statement "Denial Delta."
(Both Delta and Northwest Airlines filed for bankruptcy, putting four major U.S. carriers under chapter 11. Maybe the Columbus airport shuttle buses should expand their service, and drive all the day to New York and Washington.)
+ Atlanta Falcons defensive back Kevin Mathis injured his knee, and could be lost for the season. This follows Mathis getting ejected from Monday night's game for fighting, before the opening kickoff. Was he Peerless Price's roommate on road trips last season?
+ Instant Message to All-Pro Chevrolet of LaGrange: Thank you for telling me on WRBL that your big "Labor Day Weekend sale" ends September 6 -- during the 11:00 p.m. news of September 14.
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