Two groups representing opposite sides of a national debate showed up Friday afternoon to argue over whether to remove a bust honoring Christopher Columbus at the Parsippany Municipal Building. Sparks flew on occasion when some of the pro-Columbus delegation heckled and swore at the those who favored removing the memorial. Police stepped in between the two groups. 

But after about an hour, some individuals on both sides broke off to engage in calmer debate. Gathered around the bust — mounted on a granite pedestal erected in 1992 at the corner of routes 46 and 202 — were about 100 vocal supporters to preserve the status quo.