The Cocklebur Bloggers have been electrified by the controversy surrounding the public display of an old Portman Shoals electricity generator in a new pocket park downtown funded by a group of 100 local worthies known as TBA 100.

A group of concerned residents, headed by Mr. Tom Tolly, have won an official review of the project based on fears that weather exposure would destroy a precious artifact built in 1911.

“If this generator was just a plastic bucket of pooh they would still be fighting over it,” Mr. Hankey pooh-poohed. “Anyone really care?”

Is this discussion too late?” Non Sequitor asked. It seems the parking lot is gone and the construction is in progress.”

“I had almost given up hope that anything would change,” Blondeblogger crowed.

“Do this project right!! Please!! ...Perhaps involve a historian or two. Ask the Anderson County Museum’s curator to assist. Contact the state museum’s curator. Take up some more money if that’s what it takes. Apply for some grants.”

As part of her argument, Blondeblogger accused former Anderson Mayor Richard Shirley of breaking a promise he made in an interview with the Anderson Independent-Mail that the city would have a plan for the generator before demolition of the Coleman Recreation Center, its former home.

Former Mayor Shirley was incensed.

“Nothing could be further from the truth!” he blared. “My quote at that time was speaking to its immediate safety. ... Besides perhaps Fred Whitten or Hurley Badders, nobody has an appreciation of this community’s history more than I.”

Steely Dan was skeptical.

“It’s more evidence of double-speak by our illustrious, forked-tongued former mayor …”

Andersonnative, who wanted the generator to be a centerpiece for a children’s museum, insisted, “We can have it both ways on this one.

“… (the) generator (should go) to the park. And work towards a bigtime history of electricity/energy Museum. … It would be a really attractive thing to be known for. It’s synergistic with the whole Lake/recreation thing. It’s different from G’ville’s yuppie image or Asheville’s hippie image. …This is a part of our history which has had a MAJOR impact on the history of the world.”

Noeline and Petunia both suggested the same approach that Philadelphia took in protecting the Liberty Bell outdoors.

“So why not build a ‘glass house’ like they did for the Liberty Bell and place it down on the new city building square next to the police dept. Surely it could be kept safe from vandals and be protected from the elements there until or when a museum is more feasible,” Petunia said.