Goat, Pig, Horse or Turtle? Willits to Vote on New Playground Sculpture
Willits City Council reviews "the state of public art" at July 22 council meeeting
Willits is broke — the mayor will cheerfully tell you so — but the town may soon be one whimsical bronze animal richer, and for once the choice belongs to the public.
At the City Council’s Wednesday, July 22 meeting, local artist Gary Martin clicked through a slideshow he billed as “the state of the arts in Willits” and landed on a modest proposal: he wants to donate a bronze sculpture for the children’s playground at Willits City Park. The only real question is which creature it should be. Four finalists are headed to the local media in the coming weeks for a public vote — a goat, a horse, a turtle and a pig.
Martin, who also led the meeting’s Pledge of Allegiance, has a favorite, and he made no attempt to hide it. “My favorite, the pig,” he told the council — a preference that drew an unsolicited “I love the pig” from the dais.
Before he got to the barnyard, Martin took the room on a tour of the public art Willits already has, arguing that a town signals what it values by what it puts in its shared spaces. He pointed to murals at JD Redhouse, St. Francis Episcopal Church, the Book Juggler and a string of local schools, plus one at NAPA Auto Parts he cheerfully named his favorite; Anna Judd’s mural on the back of the bandstand; and the windmill on Highway 20 that Jane Camp commissioned and gave to the city. He credited work around town by artist Laura Wieseck and touted the reach of the Willits Center for the Arts, which he said brings arts programming to thousands of students a month across Willits, Laytonville and Covelo, with a new branch in Gualala.
The pitch itself drew on older civic tradition. Martin cited the century-old bronze goat that generations of children have clambered over at Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia — a sculpture built not to be admired from a distance but to be climbed, ridden and loved into a shine. A durable bronze in Willits City Park, he argued, would do the same here: “spark curiosity and inspire wonder, especially in young minds.” He closed, as one does, with Dead Poets Society: “poetry, beauty, and love, these are what you stay alive for.”
The sculpture would cost the city nothing, a point Mayor Tom Allman underscored with characteristic candor. “I really appreciate you not asking us for money,” Allman said, “because we’re still broke.”
Public comment leaned firmly toward the whimsical. A resident read a letter from Jane Camp, who could not attend but wrote to strongly back the gift. A sculpture, Camp wrote, would “enliven children’s curiosity and interest in this form of art” and be “a lovely and whimsical sculpture for all to enjoy,” urging the council to “give this project the green light.” The reader added her own two cents: “I like pigs. I think it’s adorable.”
Helen Sims had a friendly amendment. Whatever the town picks, she suggested, it ought to get a name — by public contest. “The tortoise, the pig, the little pork chop,” she offered, running through the possibilities.
No vote was taken; the item was a presentation, not an action.
Additional city council reports:
Council Member Gerardo “Gerry” Gonzalez reported attending a Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) meeting July 6, where the board reviewed the Mendocino Coast Recreation and Park District’s municipal service review and sphere of influence. He also flagged ongoing bicycle and scooter traffic in front of downtown buildings as a safety concern and noted a rider had been redirected to the bike lane.
Council Member Matthew Alaniz reported meeting July 15 with a field representative from U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff’s office to discuss transportation funding, rural hospital support, and forest management’s effect on fire insurance rates. Alaniz reminded residents that city council candidacy paperwork is available from the city clerk through Aug. 7 and that candidates must reside within city limits. He noted that a community gathering in support of injured student Zach Thompson is scheduled for July 26 at 11 a.m. at Willits High School, and he announced that First Friday returns Aug. 7. Alaniz also disclosed that the Fair Political Practices Commission replied June 26 with a finding of no conflict of interest regarding his connection to the general manager of a trails organization involved in a prior council matter; he said he will post the full finding on his personal Facebook page.
Mayor Tom Allman congratulated Frontier Days on its 100th annual celebration, crediting organizer Marcy Barry and her team, city staff, and the community. He acknowledged the recent earthquake, commending city employees across all departments for their response, and urged residents and businesses with damage to report it to the community development department so the city can assess whether a FEMA request is warranted.
Department head reports:
Administrative Services Director Joseph Park said the fiscal year transition to the Springbrook financial software went unnoticed — his benchmark for a clean rollover. The 2024-25 audit is underway; auditors are working virtually, with an on-site visit planned next month. Financial consultant Andy Heath is returning the following week to assist. Council Member Bruce Burton to add an accounts receivable column to the account balance reports, noting that reimbursements pending on capital projects such as the Rails with Trails work could ease concern over the fund balance trend. Park agreed.
Public Works Director Davey Bowles confirmed the new solar array is operating, producing roughly 580 kilowatt-hours per day, near peak summer output. A monitoring link showing daily output, energy savings, and equivalent metrics will be posted to the city website. Bowles said the notice of completion for the solar project will likely come before the council at the second August meeting. He also acknowledged the City Park merry-go-round is damaged and under repair.