Havre de Grace Mayor on the 'Battle of the Statue'

Mayor Wayne Dougherty said a citizen asked him to comment on what he termed was "the battle of the statue" in Legion Square.

On the heels of the Ravens' AFC Championship win, Dougherty spoke about the city's stance on dressing up the likeness of General Lafayette.

"I think it basically shows the enthusiasm of our community," Dougherty said.

"We do not take exception" to decorations, he continued, mentioning the Ravens getup that General Lafayette recently wore. "It’s pride in the community."

Days after Lafayette's purple and black feather boa and purple mask were installed in mid-January, however, the work was undone.

"Sad that he was UN-DECORATED," Hollee Sifford wrote on Patch Jan. 16.

"It's a shame that someone keeps going down and taking the decorations off the statue," Gretchen Wilson added.

The mayor said it was not the city's doing.

"I don’t send crews down to have that taken off the statue," Dougherty said. "We've seen pumpkins on his head. Personally, I think Lafayette would get a kick out of it. I think it's fantastic."

However, Dougherty said there were limits.

"If it was damaged, then we would have to rethink the whole thing. We will not tolerate anything offensive or destructive," the mayor said, explaining that offensiveness included attacking specific groups or lewdness.

One question remains: Is the mayor a Ravens fan?

Dougherty would not say, but he will for sure be watching the Feb. 3 game.

"I can't wait to see two brothers go up against each other in the Super Bowl," Dougherty said.

Jim Harbaugh of the San Francisco 49ers and John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens are the first brothers to face off as head coaches in Super Bowl history.

"I'm looking forward to the spirit of competition between the coaches," Dougherty said, "and I would certainly not be disappointed if the Ravens win."

See also:

General Lafayette Readies for Playoffs

Is Decorating HdG Statue Disrespectful?

Readers: Havre de Grace Supports Decorating Lafayette Statue

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