SCULPTURE CONFLICT PAGE 2
"Staff made a judgment call to take (the statues) down I'm not going to look back and question that. On Monday, council will decide where we go from here," he said.
Both Rowswell and CAO Joe Fratesi have indicated that Burtch's finished product differed from the concept approved by city council. Fratesi said the artist took "some liberties" and Rowswell said councillors didn't realize the sculptures would be nudes.
Rowswell said the statues came down after city staff conveyed messages that the bronzed figurines were too graphic and one female form detailed pubic hair.
Meanwhile, support is mounting for the figures to be returned to the Rhodes Centre in their original form.
The Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution Wednesday supporting the council motion that the Rhodes Centre statues be replaced and not modified.
Chamber president Gary Dumanski said the chamber board and its members feels the statues are suitable for the community centre and has asked Caicco to pass on that message at Monday's council meeting.
Burtch said he'd like the city to consider an arms-length funding agency for projects such as these, as it would help the city protect itself and the investment as well as those of the artists.
"It's something that I believe needs to be looked at seriously," he said.
