Monday, August 07, 2000
N.Ky. whines over swine
Kentuckians are squealing over the piggie prejudice described in last week's column. Eighty-one decorated pigs were supposed to land in Kentucky, but the number has fallen to 58 as the project progresses, compared with about 340 in Cincinnati.
Some pigs were moved because sponsors lived and worked in Cincinnati, others because artists wanted “safer” or more visible locations.
In a sad irony, the pig called “Country Ham” was among those damaged in Cincinnati two weekends ago. Its creator, Lynn Rose, had expressed concern about safety in Kentucky.
She also joked that she rarely ventures into the Bluegrass state and prays she'll find her way back across the bridge.
Readers commented:
“I feel about venturing into Cincinnati as Lynn Rose does coming to Kentucky. When walking the Suspension Bridge to Reds games, I drop dried pinto beans on the sidewalk so I can find my way back. I did venture to Ferguson's on U.S. 52 for breakfast one morning and tasted something called goetta. I haven't been able to even glance toward those plastic pigs on the sidewalks ever since.” —Chip Clarke, Independence
“I think it's kind of insulting that they don't want to come over here and they don't want their pigs here. They wanted the 1 percent extra tax on the hotels so we could help them over there, and they want us to come to the Reds games and that kind of thing.” —Louise Gaines, Boone County
“If people really want to see a beautiful animal, let them get in their cars and drive to Lexington and see all the beautiful renditions of horses they have down there. Who would trade a beautiful equine animal for an animal that (wallows) in the mud?”
—William Stinnett, Burlington
“Our delight in looking at the pigs was, after we walked around Cincinnati we went over to Kentucky and had a delightful lunch on the river and looked at the pigs over there.
“Your restaurants are so excellent on the river, and it's such a nice event. We certainly come over there and think very highly of everybody in Kentucky.” —Vivian Krueger, Terrace Park
“If you wrote today's column to get a rise from those of us who live and work in Covington, consider it a success! Many developers know that projects considered impossible in Cincinnati can happen relatively quickly in Covington and neighboring communities. As for art, Covington is home to the Carnegie arts center and the Baker-Hunt Foundation. ... Many of us consider Covington an emerging arts center.” —Donna Salyers, Covington
“I understand there was some misplacement of pigs in our area, but that doesn't mean they should have moved out of Northern Kentucky entirely. I agree with you, bring them back! We have library visitors who ask on a daily basis "Why we don't have a pig?'”
—Robin Cox, Kenton County Public Library
Last word goes to Karen Risen, who responded to my promise that we Kentuckians wouldn't paint the pigs UK blue. I said we were out of blue paint.
She writes: “I work in Kentucky but live in Ohio, and the one thing I have learned is that Kentucky is never out of blue paint.”
Touche.
Karen Samples is Kentucky columnist for the Enquirer. She can be reached at (859) 0578-5584 or ksamples@enquirer.com.
Find past pig profiles and event details at Cincinnati.com/bigpiggig
