Have your say: Decision to erect Riff Raff Statue?

Source: http://stuff.co.nz/stuff/waikatotimes/0,2106,2828725a7253,00.html
 
27 February 2004

We asked what you thought of this week's Hamilton City Council decision to erect a statue of Riff Raff from the Rocky Horror Picture Show in the city to honour the show's creator, former Hamiltonian Richard O'Brien.

Lyn Court said: "We are very disappointed with the council's decision to put the Rocky Horror statue up in Hamilton. What has happened to the morals of the council?

"I would have thought that there would have been better ways to spend money than on that kind of statue.

"What is it saying to our youth? I have lost a lot of faith in our council."

Linda Depledge-Brooker said: "What a forward-thinking decision. I'd far rather be part of a city that has a statue that pays tribute to an artist then a whole street full of tributes to politicians and sports `heroes'.

"If anybody doesn't know who Richard O'Brien is, they do now. He is world famous and deserves to be acknowledged.

"If it's not your `cup of tea' then remember that we live in a rich and diverse society and this statue will go some way to reflecting that."

Merv Brown said: "Fantastic –- our council has actually achieved some maturity in a decision of no great import, but one which will bring some small degree of credibility to our city.

"We are not embarrassed by the success of our past or present citizens, even if our self-declared morality judge from the south ward doesn't know the name of the world famous author of The Rocky Horror Show, a world famous icon of entertainment.

"A sculpture honouring our heritage at one end of town, and a sculpture honouring a creative genius at the other end of town –- what could be more definitive of the variables that make up this city? Bring it on, I say, and well done councillors. For once I am not laughing at you."

Elisabeth Langley-Cornille said: "No way. I think the decision of the council is wrong. I would have preferred that the first piece of public art donated to the city since the Art in Public Places policy be of a piece of `real' history from someone of the likes of Fred Graham, sculptor."

Faye Dwyer said: "Hamilton city ratepayers are to contribute $25,000 towards a statue to be erected in the main street while residents of Ranui St plead for street humps for their families' safety. Ranui St residents are disgusted and saddened and note the names of councillors who voted for Riff Raff. They will not be getting votes in the next local elections from this area of Hamilton West."