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February 21, 2012

Our View: Headless dragon no laughing matter

We thought it was a particularly poor defense offered by the lawyer for the two Salem men caught with the head of an ice dragon that had decorated the Essex Street pedestrian mall two weekends ago.

Without acknowledging any culpability on his clients' part, veteran defense attorney John Andrews told a reporter, "I don't know how the government can prove what, if any, value exists for the sculpture." Having been carved from a block of ice, he noted, perhaps with tongue in cheek, "It's got to be one of the most depreciating assets you can have."

That may indeed be the case, but these ice sculptures that have become a tradition for the annual "Salem's So Sweet" celebration of Valentine's Day, are a point of pride for the businesses that pay $300 apiece to have them carved and a treat for the many visitors who come downtown to view them.

Breaking off and/or stealing any piece of these sculptures is vandalism, plain and simple.

Andrews' clients are of an age — 47 and 30 — where, even if not responsible for the dragon's decapitation, they should have known making off with the head was not the right thing to do. Yet police officer Tracy O'Leary says she observed them not once, but twice, carting it from the scene.

Andrews may think it's much ado about nothing, but given the money and effort the city and local businesses put into keeping the mall attractive, this was a case worth pursuing.

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