28 OCT 05: STATUE LIBERTY
Let's start with the number-one joke of Thursday, which I heard from a variety of people. They wished someone would pay THEM $35,000 NOT to make a sculpture for the Columbus Public Library....
The Muscogee County Library Board approved a proposed settlement Thursday, over that planned Albert Paley sculpture on Macon Road. Paley would be paid $35,000 - meaning when it's all said and done, his "Transformation" turned into a pile of cash.
The proposed $35,000 settlement puts the cost of Albert Paley's "Transformation" at about $1,000 a foot in height. Before you declare this price outrageous, stop and think. Think about the pro basketball players coming to Columbus tonight, who are paid at least 10 times as much per foot.
After all, the original agreement was to pay Albert Paley $250,000 for the Transformation sculpture. But Columbus Council objected -- since that money could be better spent to pay 25 new police officers.
The Library Board voted 14-2 for the proposed settlement with Albert Paley. I'm not sure which two members voted no. Maybe they're the two remaining people in Columbus who actually think "Transformation" would look good outside the library.
Library Board attorney Neal Callahan explained without a settlement, the sculpture dispute probably would go to trial - with Columbus city government, the Muscogee County School District and construction company all involved. So many lawyers would be around a table that it might as well be a poker showdown.
Library Board Chairman Dr. Tom Wade said the $35,000 "Paley payoff" will come not from tax money, but from several anonymous donors. Wouldn't you like to see those donors have their tax returns audited? "Your Honor, I donated that money so an artist wouldn't do anything weird...."
But Library Board member Brinkley Pound expressed concern about the anonymous donations - saying they won't improve the board's local image. No one seemed to say that, when mystery donors kept Reading Recovery programs going in schools.
Dr. Tom Wade said he still hopes some sort of artwork can be placed in front of the Columbus Public Library. Some people might argue the most fitting display would be a gold-plated tall stack of dollar bills.
By the way, former President Jimmy Carter will be at the Columbus Public Safety in late November. He'll sign copies of his new book - and where better than a building with an inflated budget, like he used to have in Washington?
E-MAIL UPDATE: We sent an Instant Message to local baseball star Frank Thomas a couple of days ago - but someone else responded to it:
Hmmmmm, maybe Frank could land in ATL with old AU Alumnus Tim Hudson. F. T. got his ring tonight, [Wednesday] so he can move on now. Interestingly enough though, Frank would have to beat out the young dude playng backup roles for ATL at 1B - Mr. Franco! With Franco being somewhere between 40 and 60 years of age, Frankie could have a shot!
Roll Tide Roll,
Craig
We should note Frank Thomas was injured much of the season, as his Chicago White Sox won the World Series. So if he comes to Atlanta and shares time with Julio Franco, don't be surprised to find a park bench next to first base at Turner Field.
Now let's put our Sox away for awhile, and check other headlines from Thursday:
+ The Columbus Health Department announced it's out of flu shots, and won't have any more for several weeks. What's going on here? This happened before any TV newscaster told people there's a shortage, and it's time to panic.
+ Columbus gas prices dropped below $2.35 a gallon, to their lowest levels since early August. If this trend lasts, someone might ask the Hurricane Katrina evacuees to go home to New Orleans and start all this over again.
+ The evening news revealed a draft report on Columbus city pay recommends an $8,000 raise for some maintenance workers. If any group knows how to put the screws to city officials, this group should....
+ Alabama Governor Bob Riley spoke at an economic conference in Eufaula - but I'm told he refused to answer any questions about the indictment of reelection opponent Don Siegelman. He'll let Roy Moore do the Christian honors, and declare Mr. Siegelman a sinner.
+ WRBL reporter Chris Sweigart reported by phone from Iraq - and openly wished he'd taken a jacket, for cool autumn nights near Baghdad. Why the U.S. Army doesn't have spare flak jackets to give him, I have no idea....
+ NASCAR driver Greg Biffle visited Fort Benning. The driver of the "Army National Guard" car did some shooting with soldiers - but for some reason, he didn't modify the rear spoilers on any tanks so they could drive faster.
+ Eufaula High School completed a perfect 10-0 football season, by winning 21-7 over Montgomery "Jeff Davis." This is how you can tell which side lost the Civil War. No one dares Booker T. Washington High School "Bookie."
+ Brookstone's softball game lost to Trion 1-0 during the state tournament at South Commons. Brookstone still can win the Class A title by advancing through the loser's bracket - so the slogan now is if at first you don't succeed, Trion, Trion
again.
+ Instant Message to whomever left an Alabama Crimson Tide car flag attached to a power pole on Fourth Street: I've give you a little credit. At least the flag is pointing west, TOWARD Alabama....
COMING THIS WEEKEND: A Gulf Coast vacation wrap-up.... including why I was suddenly surrounded by two police cars....
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