Officials mull controversial statue's fate

KANSAS CITY, Mo., July 20 (UPI) -- Officials in a Missouri city are split on what to do with a controversial statue erected 15 years ago outside police communications headquarters.

Kansas City officials said the $78,000 "Modern Communication" statue, which depicts a businessman with a tie over his eyes, a shoe in his mouth and fingers in his ears, must be removed from its current place next spring due to renovations at the police building and officials have differing opinions on what to do with the artwork, The Kansas City Star reported Wednesday.

"It's my least favorite public art," City Councilman Ed Ford said. "It's insulting to so many different folks -- the court system, the police. I've never liked it."

However, other officials said they appreciate the piece.

"I like it," said Pat McInerney, president of the Board of Police Commissioners. "I think it's great irony … in front of a communications building."

The contract signed with artist Terry Allen in 1995 gives the city the options of returning the sculpture to the artist, placing it in storage or moving it to a new location.