The Wilton Woody’s Creator Might End Up Doing Hard Time
I love a good story of someone handling an issue with neighbors and their local government in a mature way. This isn't one of those stories.
Jamie Gagne of Wilton was arrested on Thursday for displaying a 7-foot wooden penis in his front yard. Mr. Gagne carved the male appendage from a pine tree and....um....erected it in his front yard. He even put a sign up encouraging people to stop and take a picture with Wilton's newest landmark. As far as I know, it's not part of the Wilton attractions on the Chamber of Commerce website.
This was his way of protesting a fight he is having with the town of Wilton over plans to build a workshop that the town says isn't up to code. According to the story at wnyt.com, Gagne has tried to comply with the town's requests but has found it hard to do and he said that the town has ignored his objections.
Unfortunately, the Wilton Woody has caused more than a few laughs by people driving by or stopping to take a picture with the phallic yard art. Someone complained and that send the police to his house. After the visit from State Troopers, he moved the protest penis to his backyard. However, that was short-lived. He moved it back to the front yard to be proudly displayed behind a spray-painted sign that read "Adults Only." That brought the State Troopers out again and he was arrested and charged with a public display of offensive sexual material.
According to WNYT, the time has come for the Wilton Woody's creator to face the judge and possibly accept his punishment. Jamie Gagne who carved the giant wood penis pleaded not guilty to publicly displaying offensive sexual material. Now, a court date has been set for October 1st. By the way, he faces a year in jail and a $1000 fine if convicted. That's a pretty big penalty for an arts and crafts twig and danglies.
So, I guess we all wait until October 1st to learn the fate of Jamie Gagne and his Forrest Phallic. Just in time for Halloween....perfect for the kids and trick or treating.