Smoking in public on town-owned property isn’t allowed in Marion, and that goes for everyone, says the Marion Board of Health – even you, Elizabeth Taber!
The Board of Health on December 11 signed a letter addressed to the Sippican Historical Society voicing their concern about a statue of Elizabeth Taber slated for placement across from the library on town-owned property at Bicentennial Park.
The design of the bronze statue has already been conceptualized and a statue committee formed of Sippican Historical Society members and residents has commissioned New Bedford-based sculptor Erik Durant to create the life-size image of Elizabeth Taber seated on a bench – in one she holds a book, and in the other, a pipe. According to Judith Rosbe from the Historical Society, Taber loved smoking her pipe and did so every day.
Being the Board of Health and the authority restricting smoking in and on town-owned property, naturally it is opposed to Taber hanging around the center of Marion perpetually seated smoking her pipe.
“Since we don’t allow smoking on public places, we think that a statue of a woman smoking in front of the library sends mixed messages,” Board of Health Chairman Jason Reynolds told The Wanderer.
Whether or not it is too late for the statue committee to consider the Board of Health’s opinion and change the statue was unknown as of press time Tuesday night. It is also unknown as to whether Taber would be willing to put down her pipe and quit smoking for eternity, or sneak off for a smoke at night when the Board of Health isn’t looking.
By Jean Perry