Public funds spent on mayor mural

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HORBY, Sweden, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- A Swedish mayor said the $91,584 used to paint a depiction of himself as a Roman legionary was a proper use of public funds.

Mayor Lars Ahlkvist of Horby said the council building mural, which also features a local financier depicted as Sweden's King Karl XI, said the law states public officials commissioning artwork should have adequate expertise, and he has the proper knowledge, The Local.se reported Wednesday.

"I feel that I am familiar with art. I come from a family of artists and have spent a lot of time on it," he said.

City Manager Arne Bertilsson said the commissioning process was done properly. He said Ahlkvist was allowed to choose an artist he was acquainted with instead of soliciting bids because it required specialist skills.

"That's why we decided to use the existing exceptions to the rules in the procurement laws which gave us the right to contact and chose one artist only," Bertilsson said.

Ahlkvist said the mural is designed to connect the past to the present.

"In the painting, Jesus is escorted by a modern police officer," he said.