A statue is a bit over the top

1 News reports:

Carterton’s deputy mayor is “disappointed” and “disgusted” at the response to a proposal to erect a memorial sculpture of the late Georgina Beyer.

“I’m just really disappointed at how some people have expressed their views by tearing apart a deceased person and their character when they can’t defend themselves,” Carterton’s Deputy Mayor Dale Williams said.

Beyer, who died last year, was elected mayor of Carterton in 1995 — making her the world’s first openly transgender mayor.

Williams said he was “disgusted” by the comments his council had received regarding a proposal to erect a life-sized bronze statue of Beyer.

Carterton councillors met on Wednesday to discuss the proposal, but decided to seek public feedback on the idea and potential location before supporting the project further.

The sculpture would be externally funded and has been endorsed by the executors of Beyer’s estate. The estimated price to complete the sculpture is between $300,000-$500,000.

Beyer became the world’s first transgender Member of Parliament and was celebrated for her courage, sharp humour, and fierce advocacy of the communities she represented.

Georgina Beyer was a good Mayor of Carterton. She got re-elected with 90% of the vote. And her election as both Mayor and MP was significant, especially in such a rural area. She wasn’t elected because she was transgender, or in spite of it. It just wasn’t an issue to locals who judged her on her performance.

I think it is quite appropriate to honour a former Mayor, who attracted significant attention nationally and globally.

But a $500,000 statue is way over the top, especially in a district of 10,000 people. That is $50 per person or over $100 per household.

Naming a street or a park after her, with an appropriate plaque would be far more sensible.