Monument

Every time I’m in Candie Gardens I like to check up on old Victor. Make sure he’s still there, looking out over St Peter Port. He doesn’t say much these days, but he doesn’t need to.
 
It’s a lovely monument but during his lifetime Victor Hugo was better known in Guernsey for giving parties for poor children. His true monument was his work and his actions.
 
A group of well meaning individuals are now trying to get a less impressive monument erected to one of Guernsey’s own greatest sons.
 
Initially it wasn’t to cost the public purse anything because they said that they intended to raise the money privately. This fine intention now seems to be wavering a little.
 
Now I have nothing against people spending their time and money however they wish but what a waste.
 
How will this new project help Guernsey?
 
Rejuvenating the surrounding park area is a good idea but is that a priority in these budget stretching times? And would any regenerating scheme actually stick?
 
If this can be guaranteed, then go ahead with that bit of the scheme. It’s a fine idea. 

Perhaps they could forget the monument and use the money saved to build the park. No cost to the public purse and some more good work done by private individuals and businesses.
 
If these people are still mad keen to commemorate one of Guernsey’s finest and still want to build something, then build something that can be used for, and by, the community as a whole and for decades to come. Something better than a garden.
 
Name it after the favourite son if you want to.
 
Found an organisation in his name to help improve the lives of Guernsey’s needy.
 
Create jobs
 
Create training schemes and apprenticeships
 
Create hope.
 
Don’t create another pile of stone for the seagulls to sit on. Even Victor gets fed up with that.