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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 29, 2005 Vandals target Medford statue again By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Following another vandalism act Thursday to the Vogel Plaza chess player, the Parks and Recreation Department has removed the bronze sculpture from its downtown seat. The damage is minimal, according to Brian Sjothun, parks and recreation director. "It’s not damaged to the point where we need to bring Pete in on it." Pete Helzer, the sculptor, was already brought in to repair the piece after someone ran a car into it a year ago. The piece was commissioned by the Medford Arts Commission in 2002 and created by the Pleasant Hill artist. Helzer made some new chess pieces and arranged for the new granite chess board which had been destroyed last year. The city paid $1,200 for repairs and received $1,126 via Jackson County courts from Bryan Patrick Graley, the driver of the vehicle. Vandals had also bent the chess pieces and one piece had been removed recently. Advertisement Helzer said in a telephone interview Friday that as public art goes, this one has taken a beating. "I haven’t had this much consistent vandalism on any of the other pieces," said Helzer, who has sculptures in 50 parks around the state and at two other spots in Medford. It’s not the usual attention the piece brings. "It’s so discouraging because the reports I get on that piece from all over the state are flattering," he said. Helzer also sculpted the three young musicians on Ninth Street and Central Avenue in Medford, as well as the bronze sculptures inside Jackson County’s Central Library. Sjothun said the primary damage to the chess player this time was loosening it from its foundation. "There was some damage around the base where it was secured," he said. "We may just put a sturdier concrete base on it." The black king chess piece is also missing. He said the chess player will soon be returned to its rightful spot. Sjothun said the sculpture is being kept at the parks maintenance building, as is the city’s Statue of Liberty replica, also a repaired victim of vandalism that occurred at its former home in Hawthorne Park’s rose garden. Questions about the sculptures or the Medford Arts Commission can be referred to the Parks and Recreation Department by calling 774-2400 or via e-mail at [email protected]. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail Vandals target Medford statue again ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Investments & Loans Advertisement s