The Romans had em. And they didn't do too bad, right?

Marble freaking columns.

Al Copeland's survivors are negotiating with Jefferson Parish officials to erect a statue of the late fried chicken king in Lafreniere Park. The Parish Council is scheduled Wednesday to vote on an agreement letting the family pay to build a performance stage in the Metairie park, along with an "arched entryway" and "a paved and brick walkway leading to the Al Copeland Memorial Statue," according to public records.

The idea evolved from an overture that the Copeland family made in February to the Lafreniere Park Advisory Board, board Chairman Ginger Crawford said Tuesday. The initial proposal was for pedestal supporting a life-sized statue of the flamboyant businessman holding a box of Popeye's fried chicken and a checkered racing flag, a speedboat at his feet, all set amid columns.

There is a sketch of the proposed statue at the top of that article which you really must see.  According to follow-up statements from JP Councilman Ben Zahn and from the Copeland family, the design is still very much open to discussion.  I think someone today suggested they find a way to incorporate some Christmas lights.

In any case, I really do hope they keep the columns. There really is nothing that could be more exactly Al Copeland than that.