Council approves renovations and artwork

by C.I. Pucker TRENTON – Last night City Council approved a $1.8 million plan to have council chambers renovated. The funding package includes money for the restoration of the mural, depicting Trenton’s industrial age, at the back of council chambers. Also, several portraits that have already been commissioned will be hung on the walls. One segment of the plan, however, received much consternation from the residents who addressed council before the matter was voted on.     The contested portion of the restoration project relates to the intended plaster resurfacing of the ceiling in preparation for a mural to be painted. Mayor Doug Palmer addressed council before the vote saying, “We have a mural depicting what made Trenton so great at the beginning of the 20th century. Now we will document the greatness of Trenton and the people that matter at the start of the 21st century.”     The mural (below) is a two-bit rendition of a fresco that Michelangelo painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. In the updated version, Mayor Palmer is depicted as God with Police Director Santiago at his right hand. During a brief debate by council, the proposal appeared destined for failure. Several council members wanted their likenesses to replace the cherubs that swoon around Palmer. However, the debate was quickly ended when Mayor Palmer told the council members, “It is time to vote yes now.”     Council unanimously passed the measure; and work on the renovations is scheduled to begin within the year.     Included in the renovation package is money for two portraits of Police Director Joe Santiago that are to adorn the walls in council chambers. These paintings, too, are cheap rip-offs of masterworks, and because they lack the prestige of Hizzoner’s visage, they will likely fade into obscurity in a few months.     “Right hand of god. The audacity!” quipped PBA President Len Cipriano. “If they wanted to be accurate they would have made him the left hand of Satan,” Cipriano said. “At least then Abe Hemsey would have been happy.”     One resident who was overheard talking to a friend stated, “They should name that one ‘Mounted Moron.’” Any similarity between Joe Santiago and little dictators, living or dead, is purely coincidental. All artwork contributed by K. Sickey.
		Mayor Palmer was successful in having the ceiling in council chambers repainted as a monument to himself. "I am a great man and now everybody will know it," said Palmer. Full Size Perfect windows wallpaper! Click on images for full size.