Management Responds to Claims of ‘Forced’ Removal of Blues Brothers Statues

The new management at Bald Mountain Colony has responded to our original story that the famous Old Forge Blues Brothers statues have been forced out.

William Barnes emailed WIBX to respond to the claims he told Mello Testa to get rid of the figures. He writes, "Mr. Testa was not told to remove them. He was told what every tenant was told that we all need to clean up the campground, especially the waterfront area where he has a site. The campground is in need of some cleaning and organization."

Testa argues that his dock and campsite is a vast improvement from what it looked like when he took over the site. Below are before and after photos provided by Testa.

The cleanup that Barnes is referring to is additions and changes to the shoreline. He says in his email to WIBX, "The waterfront area gets a lot of attention because many tenants have made adjustments to the shoreline and done things that are not allowed or approved and in some cases against the direction of codes enforcement and the Adirondack Park Association."

Testa responded to Barnes' statement on Facebook saying,

All this came about because of a conversation with our new park manager (Bill Barnes); he told me in a very polite and pleasant way that I had to remove the Blues Brothers statues from my camp because (in his words) they draw too much attention to the park. I told him no problem and I will remove them when the season ends and won't bring them back. I didn't argue the point, he's the boss. It was never my intention to be critical of the Barrett Family or Mr. Barnes in any way.

Barnes says that Testa made the Blues Brothers the center of attention when the real issue is the shoreline restoration. Barnes says, "My goal is to provide a safer and better camping experience for everyone in the campground as well as to provide security and longevity for those that have been here for many years like Mr. Testa. Nobody has been evicted or had their lease terminated.  Those that need to correct things are being notified and given time to correct and to continue as tenants."

Unless management and Testa can come to some sort of agreement, Testa says he is definitely leaving and taking the Blues Brothers with him. Your last chance to possibly see the statues in their home of 18 years is this Labor Day weekend.