•        The organization originally responsible for painting Pole People in Neoga was a loosely-organized, self-appointed group that called themselves the Neoga Beautification Committee. I believe it was started by Mary Katherine Short McPhee, now Mrs. Drake. I was asked to join and bring my Pole People from the area of my home on Route 45 northeast of Neoga to town. This first colony of Pole People were being badly abused by late-night vandals. I agreed.
•   Mrs. Constance Walk

       Yes. In the beginning the Pole People had 2x4 arms attached to their utility pole bodies which were owned by Central Illinois Public Service (CIPS [now known as Ameren CIPS]). Ameren CIPS contended that the 2 x 4 arms were a safety hazard and just plain illegal, even though no Ameren CIPS employees actually climb the poles anymore and use bucket trucks. Some little effort was made to oppose Ameren CIPS but we gave up, removed the 2x4s and painted armsand the Pole People lost a lot of character that day.
       Several people promised to help create Pole People, but the job became mostly Constance Walk's and it became less and less enjoyable for her. When the Pole People live near her house (north of Neoga), they were all men. When they went to town everybody and his brother had opinions on who should be painted. Although several of the poles in Neoga were painted by other and more talented women (no men offered) than Constance Walk, the job fell to Constance alone and she got tired of being told what to paint and listening to directions. Since then many of the poles have been refurbished by wrong-doers who have been ordered to do community service, youth from the local school or local Community Organizations..