u/daemonpie

Heya! I grew up in Livermore, though moved overseas a decade or so ago. I was feeling nostalgic and wandering around town in google maps, only to see that the totem pole in centennial park was missing. Looking for news about it, it looks like it was removed for restoration in 2021.

I can't find any more recent articles about it - 5 years seems like a good long while for restoration. Anyone have any more info? And more importantly, what does this mean for the sewers!? Is the curse lifted, or somehow deepened by this new development?

Edit: Someone posted a link hidden in a Nextdoor comment thread, I believe from Mayor Marchand (not sure how to confirm that on Nextdoor, first time using it):

> Totem poles typically have a life expectancy of around 50 years. The Livermore pole was over 50 years old and was showing its age. In fact, the beak and wings had fallen off and its structural integrity had been compromised over the years of exposure to the weather and pest infestation.
> Sometimes, historically significant poles by master carvers in the Pacific Northwest are recreated. However, the Livermore pole was carved by a member of the Chippewa tribe, which has no totem pole tradition. Similarly, the Miwok and Ohlone tribes, which lived in our region, have no totem pole tradition and built no permanent structures. Tlingit and Haida tribes, which do have a totem pole tradition, didn’t live here. Concerns had also been expressed that designs were copied from a much revered Tlingit carver without permission.
> > California law regarding public art is explicit in that there can be no alterations or modifications to a piece of public art without the expressed permission of the artist. Fifteen years ago, I had suggested some conservation efforts on the pole. The artist would not participate unless he was paid thousands of dollars as “a consultant” to come back to Livermore. The leadership of the Tlingit and Haida tribes also requested that the pole not be replaced. > > The pole was taken down in 2021 and is in storage. It is my understanding that because of its weakened condition and cultural misappropriation, the pole will not be replaced. > Meanwhile, there are recreations of Ohlone structures at the East Bay Regional Parks Coyote Hills Recreation Area in Fremont.