Group says 'Peanuts' statues don't belong in Rice Park 



Statues of Charles Schultz's [sic.] "Peanuts" characters have become a St. Paul tradition, but one group thinks they don't belong in Rice Park.

The Ross Group is an 11-member organization that's been involved in city beautification efforts for the past dozen years. They say bronze statues of Peppermint Patty and Marcie don't fit with the historic character of the park in the middle of downtown St. Paul. In particular, they say the characters clash with the park's statue of St. Paul-born author F. Scott Fitzgerald.

The group says the "Peanuts" statues could jeopardize the park's possible designation as a historic site.

But St. Paul City Councilman Dave Thune says the statues won't get moved. He says Charles Schultz's characters offer a better image for the public to follow than Fitzgerald's notorious bohemian lifestyle.

of course! comics aren't culture. everyone knows that! i'm sure minnesota wakes up every morning regretting that sparky had the temerity to be born there.

it's amazing that still, still, in this day and age, that people continue to hold comics in contempt. we're lucky the headline wasn't "Good Grief! Peanut's Characters Banned From Rice Park," or "Biff! Bam! Comics Characters Ejected From Rice Park."

morons.

i think if you lined up f. scott and sparky side by side, i suspect that schulz has the greater social impact. god knows he's better loved.

the offending statues can be seen here . . . 

Posted: Mon - December 13, 2004 at 06:24 PM             |

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