Where'd Joe go?
It seems like something's missing...
Last week Bob over at Planet Albany noticed that the Joe Bruno bust that has watched over the observation area at the Albany International Airport was no longer on display.
Considering all the drama (if that's the word) surrounding Bruno over the last few years, the absence of the bust honoring him might make you wonder why it was missing.
So we asked.
We got in touch with Doug Myers, ALB's director of public affairs. He says the Bruno bust has been temporarily moved to make room for a holiday party in the observation area. The airport will be inviting its approximately 160 volunteer airport "ambassadors" (people who help travelers with directions and stuff like that) in for the party -- and Myers says the bust display takes up too much room. He says it's been moved in past years for the party, and he expects it to be back in place by the end of this month.
We had to ask, considering all the unflattering publicity around Bruno, if there's ever been any talk about removing the bust non-temporarily.
"Only from the media," says Myers.
Bruno's conviction on federal "theft of honest services" charges has been vacated by a federal appeals court -- but federal prosecutors say they'll seek to indict him again, and Bruno's case could go to trial again. [Troy Record] [TU]
Earlier and elsewhere:
+ Here's a good closeup of the Bruno bust on Flickr.
+ And here's the bust getting a little love.
+ In a 2009 NYT dispatch from "Brunoland," said Myers of the bust's place at ALB: "The Albany County Airport Authority is greatly appreciative of the contributions that Senator Bruno has made to rebuild the Albany International Airport."
+ Should the "Joe" name go?
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Comments
The smile on the Joe Bruno bust seems to say "So long, suckers!"
... said Bob on Dec 2, 2011 at 12:51 PM | link
Proceed slowly when naming a building after someone or erecting a statue in their likeness.
... said Rob on Dec 2, 2011 at 1:29 PM | link
@Rob Agreed. Only name buildings in memorial, after all the dust has settled and you know who you're really dealing with.
... said James on Dec 2, 2011 at 2:13 PM | link
The statue rule should be the same as the tattoo rule. No names or faces until they've passed.
... said Arielle on Dec 2, 2011 at 2:18 PM | link
That nose and toothy grin seems to have been modeled after "The Joker".
... said Andrew Gregory on Dec 4, 2011 at 12:48 PM | link