Akeley's Bunyan repairs delayed by dispute

AKELEY, Minn. -- Akeley's Paul Bunyan is a bit disheveled, and will likely remain that way until the city council hears from the League of Minnesota Cities regarding who holds proprietary rights to his upgrades.

The council hired John's Body Shop of Park Rapids to repair vandalism damage this summer. The city filed an insurance claim through the League of Minnesota Cities to pay for repairs.

But work was halted after objections from the family of the late Dean Krotzer. Krotzer and his sons built the 63-foot statue in 1984.

The Krotzers have alleged that hiring another source to complete work on the statue is a copyright infringement.

Mayor Jennifer Mitchell said she has asked the League of Cities for its opinion.