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Managing Editor SPRINGFIELD Fond memories of the West Springfield Boys & Girls Club from one alumnus will help that organization and the Springfield Boys & Girls Club raise some money from a very special sale. City officials announced July 25 the life-size sculpture of the "The Simpsons" sent by 20th Century Fox to the city would be placed on eBay for one week starting on July 29 to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. The proceeds will be split between the West Springfield Boys & Girls Club and the Springfield Boys & Girls Club. Although thousands of theaters have the sculptures in their lobbies publicizing the film, the one offered by the city is unique. The Bart Simpson statue has been signed by Simpsons creator Matt Groening, the film's director David Silverman, and producers and writers Mike Scully, Al Jean and David Mirkin, thanks to the efforts of David Horgan, the executive producer of the city's video entry in the contest to have the film's premiere here. Scully is a West Springfield native who made the auction possible, according to Horgan. Horgan was on his way to New York to meet with a friend when he received a phone call from Scully to meet him with the statue. Scully arranged for Horgan to meet Groening and the others outside of the Director Guild Theater recently in New York City to obtain the signatures. Groening did more than just sign his name he also sketched Bart's face. Scully, who has served as a writer and producer on the long-running animated comedy, was a member of the West Springfield Boys & Girls Club. Club Executive Director Mike Polansky came to the press conference with two newspaper clippings featuring photos at Boys & Girls Club events from 1966 and 1969. Polansky said he was surprised by the news of the auction, but added that Scully has regularly contributed signed "Simpsons" scripts to the annual auction event presented by the club. The auction is being handled by the West Springfield business Leave it 4 Auction. Dave Sjoberg, the owner of the business, said the sculpture could be found by searching for the name of his business on eBay. He said there would be no minimum bid for the item and the shipping will be free. Anthony Cignoli, of the A.L. Cignoli Company, who has been prominent in the effort to create the contest video and to encourage voting, said the "Simpsons" creators told Horgan they really liked the Springfield video. In a package from 20th Century Fox were some specially customized movie posters for "The Simpsons Movie" that read "Filmed in Springfield, Massachusetts." Cignoli said that, as far as he could research, of the 14 communities that participated in the contest, including the winner, Springfield, Vt., Springfield, Mass. was the only community to have such a poster. | ||||||
