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Recent support for the controversial statue of the Greek goddess Hebe has fund-raisers confident they will eventually see their prized deity gracing Roseburg's Eagle Park.
Roseburg resident Thomas Whitney, who has spearheaded the project to revive the statue, said supporters have garnered around $15,000 in cash and pledges.
"Things seem to be going along quite nicely," Whitney said.
The original statue and fountain rested at the corner of Cass Avenue and Main Street in the early 20th century until it was toppled by a team of horses.
Roseburg resident Bob Heaton, a teacher and historian who has since died, began working to see the statue replaced around two years ago, but fund-raising efforts slowly dwindled.
Whitney attributes the rekindled support in part to the controversy that flared up when Roseburg city councilors asked for an update on the project plans in October.
After hearing input from the public, reading dozens of letters -- both
positive and negative -- and holding lengthy discussions, the councilors agreed in November to maintain city endorsement of the project as long as fund-raising was completed by December 2005.
The original unanimous council decision to place the statue in the park more than two years ago was upheld by a 4-3 vote.
"The controversy, like any controversy, creates more interest," Whitney said.
Some community members spoke against the statue at the city council meetings, arguing that the Greek goddess Hebe, who holds a cup of ambrosia, was blasphemous and immoral. One letter that arrived at City Hall even hinted at a lawsuit against the city, if the statue is erected.
Councilor Lanty Jarvis, who voted against maintaining city support, said he believes the statue could be offensive to some people and refers to it as satanic.
"I'm still opposed for the very same reason I said in the first place," he said.
Whitney believes supporters who may have lost interest when fund-raising efforts quieted down over the past couple of years are now back in the game as opponents continue to raise their concerns.
"The controversy helped," he said. "And it still is."
Supporters are so encouraged, he added, that they're shooting for a much more extravagant and expensive version of the statue -- a $30,000 to $40,000 bronze statue with a base and fountain standing about 12 feet high.
"It looks like bronze has moved to the top of the list," he said, adding that fund-raisers hope to create a close replica of the original statue using old photographs.
Whitney said the campaign won't even fully kick off until January, and with a year to raise the funds, supporters feel they have time to go for the bronze.
Donations are now being funneled through the Umpqua Valley Arts Association, which makes them tax-deductible. Donations can be delivered to the association, 1624 W. Harvard Ave., and should specify that they are for the Hebe project.
Shawn Ramsey, the association's executive director, said the organization has agreed to partner with the fund-raiser because it is a project that promotes public art.
"That's something everybody can enjoy," she said.
* You can reach reporter Chelsea Duncan at 957-4246 or by e-mail at cduncan@newsreview.info.
Roseburg resident Thomas Whitney, who has spearheaded the project to revive the statue, said supporters have garnered around $15,000 in cash and pledges.
"Things seem to be going along quite nicely," Whitney said.
The original statue and fountain rested at the corner of Cass Avenue and Main Street in the early 20th century until it was toppled by a team of horses.
Roseburg resident Bob Heaton, a teacher and historian who has since died, began working to see the statue replaced around two years ago, but fund-raising efforts slowly dwindled.
Whitney attributes the rekindled support in part to the controversy that flared up when Roseburg city councilors asked for an update on the project plans in October.
After hearing input from the public, reading dozens of letters -- both
positive and negative -- and holding lengthy discussions, the councilors agreed in November to maintain city endorsement of the project as long as fund-raising was completed by December 2005.
The original unanimous council decision to place the statue in the park more than two years ago was upheld by a 4-3 vote.
"The controversy, like any controversy, creates more interest," Whitney said.
Some community members spoke against the statue at the city council meetings, arguing that the Greek goddess Hebe, who holds a cup of ambrosia, was blasphemous and immoral. One letter that arrived at City Hall even hinted at a lawsuit against the city, if the statue is erected.
Councilor Lanty Jarvis, who voted against maintaining city support, said he believes the statue could be offensive to some people and refers to it as satanic.
"I'm still opposed for the very same reason I said in the first place," he said.
Whitney believes supporters who may have lost interest when fund-raising efforts quieted down over the past couple of years are now back in the game as opponents continue to raise their concerns.
"The controversy helped," he said. "And it still is."
Supporters are so encouraged, he added, that they're shooting for a much more extravagant and expensive version of the statue -- a $30,000 to $40,000 bronze statue with a base and fountain standing about 12 feet high.
"It looks like bronze has moved to the top of the list," he said, adding that fund-raisers hope to create a close replica of the original statue using old photographs.
Whitney said the campaign won't even fully kick off until January, and with a year to raise the funds, supporters feel they have time to go for the bronze.
Donations are now being funneled through the Umpqua Valley Arts Association, which makes them tax-deductible. Donations can be delivered to the association, 1624 W. Harvard Ave., and should specify that they are for the Hebe project.
Shawn Ramsey, the association's executive director, said the organization has agreed to partner with the fund-raiser because it is a project that promotes public art.
"That's something everybody can enjoy," she said.
* You can reach reporter Chelsea Duncan at 957-4246 or by e-mail at cduncan@newsreview.info.
