For Sale Free: One Unwanted Statue

Well, the saga of Lady Liberty continues. The Chicago Tribune reported last month that Hammond, IN still has no takers for the behemoth and it likely will be shredded in a styrofoam shredder.

"I got a lot of calls, but I didn't get any bids," Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott says of the recent eBay listing. "If someone wants to use it, God bless 'em. We'll give it to them."

So now to recap her saga:
Originally manufactured by Beryl-Martin (a private company held by Sorensen, Tomer, and Tomer) for a reported cost of $8 million
Revised cost to $6 million
Revised cost to $3 million
Donated to Hammond, IN (tax write off? for how much?)
Hammond tries to erect her on an island. Too expensive.
Hammond tries to eBay the hunk of foam. No takers.
Hammond tries to cut her in half for another idea. That must have fallen through.
Hammond cannot even give the foam away.

All in all a great deal for YTB. They were able to get an admittedly awesome stage prop for their big convention law suit party. The executives of YTB were likely able to pocket a very tidy sum of money by having their privately held company manufacture the overpriced prop. YTB got a tax deduction for donating suckering Hammond for the disposal.

But what is incredibly sad is that YTB touted that this statue was being produced as a tribute to the fallen soldiers, firefighters, and police. It was a tribute to the heroes. And now, the statue is homeless, unwanted, ignored, and collecting dust. Well done YTB---some tribute!