Lawn jockey dispute heats up in Newport News
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) Last week a black facedlawn jockey caused controversyamong neighbors inNewport News. Now the dispute seems to have gotten worse.
Some residents along Madison Lane say the statue is offensive, even racist. So 10 On Your Side confronted the owner, who agreed to take it down. Later he put it back outside, and then it was stolen. What the owner did next made neighbors even more upset.
think he is thumbing his nose, and it is very offensive looking to me, said Ray Way, who was driving by the house with a paint marker replica of the statue drawn on thefront window. think it iskind of racist. I mean, we need to get over this type of thing, and that is not getting over it. It is kind Wholesale Snapbacks Hats of aggravating. went to the man who drewthe replica of the lawn jockey and asked him why he did it.
it pissed me off, because now it personal, Wicker said. if I can my man out here 24/7 without it getting stolen, then why not leave him up there on the window? What are you going to do bust out my window next? lawn jockey was stolen Sunday, but was found by a dumpster diver on Monday and ended up back in Wicker arms.
But that neighbor spoke with us over the phone Thursday, and he claimsto have an alibi: talked to you on Friday. I then went on vacation I left the area I went out of town Saturday, and I still in Richmond right now. also blames 10 On Your Side: because of you, and because of the publicity I blame you your publicity did it. Way thinks maybe it Wicker himself to blame: don know what to think about that. Is he trying to make a point? I mean what is he doing? Wicker found out Ray Way doesn live in the neighborhood, Wicker said, he visiting? Find a new route. You can go a different way. asked Wicker if he thought he could calm the situation by washing the replica from his window.
is going to come down but they stuck it to me by coming into my yard, he said. shouldn have been in my yard. our urging, Wicker said the paint marker lawn jockey replica will come down, and late Thursdayafternoon he did what he said he would he took down the artwork.
Newport News Police continue to investigatethe stolen lawn jockey. Police say Wicker is not in violation of any city code to have the statue on his front lawn.
More stories by Andy FoxMan charged for shooting when cops went to wrong house Andy FoxVeteran gets military burial after 10 On Your Side report Andy FoxSocial Security Administration realizes VB man is alive Andy FoxHampton Roads cheers on Team USA in World Cup Andy FoxChesapeake Veteran to be buried where he wanted Andy FoxVa. Beach man has same SSN as dead New York man Andy FoxOmbudsman to mediate VDOT eminent domain disputes Andy FoxBusiness owner: VDOT's forcing me into bankruptcy Andy FoxMan accused of 'booby trapping' water meter hole Andy FoxSuspect's family reaches out to victims' families Andy Fox Photo GalleriesPhotos: NFL training campPhotos: Gaza Strip battle rages onPhotos: Mysterious white flags appear atop Brooklyn BridgePhotos: USS Elrod returns home for the cheap nfl jerseys last timePhotos: 32nd Annual Norfolk Waterfront Jazz FestAdvertisement