Mayor Says New Sculptor Will Fix Village's 'Scary' Lucille Ball Statue

CELORON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP)  They do love Lucy.

The mayor of Lucille Ball's western New York hometown says he'll hire a new sculptor to "fix'' the village's much-maligned statue of the 1950s sitcom star after criticism of the public artwork drew worldwide attention.

Celoron Mayor Scott Schrecengost said Tuesday he has spoken with a sculptor who agrees to fix the life-size bronze statue for less than the $10,000 quoted previously by the original sculptor, Dave Poulin.

The mayor's announcement comes only hours after Poulin told The Associated Press he was willing to create a new statue for free. The mayor says he doesn't want Poulin to redo the work.

Poulin said he's fine with that decision.

In a letter to the Hollywood reporter, Poulin said, "I have felt blessed to have inspired and touched the lives of thousands of people who do enjoy my other works, and am heartsick at the feelings that have been evoked as a result of the Celeron Lucy."

Critics of the statue dubbed it "Scary Lucy,'' saying it bears little resemblance to the "I Love Lucy'' star.

The Facebook page We Love Lucy! Get Rid of this Statue has 8,908 likes.

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