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LETTER: Council's decision to purchase signs not very bright

City should focus on more important issues, letter writer says
Gateway Sign Mockup - With Mariposa Ad
This is what the new digital gateway signs, to be placed on Highway 11 at either end of Orillia, will look like. Council approved a budget of $350,000 for the two signs. City of Orillia photo

OrilliaMatters welcomes letters to the editor. This letter is in response to our Dec. 7 article about the city purchasing new entrance signs. Please send letters to [email protected].
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It is hard to believe that this city council thinks that $450,000 for digital signage is a worthy expenditure when you look around the city at how many roads are far beyond normal repair, street cameras that aren’t working correctly if at all, the recreation centre that has run way over budget from its inception. This council spends money like it’s water and not on viable, needed projects using taxpayers’ hard-earned money.

Orillia’s current signage was replaced not that long ago and looks perfect. It’s artistic in nature and attractive. In addition all the way up and down the major highways is the provincial signage for Orillia. People can see where Orillia is while driving without a digital signboard lighting up the night sky as a distraction providing light pollution and wasting electricity.

In addition it’s noted by council that Orillia should follow suit with other cities that have these signs. Other cities don’t have these signs in and around Simcoe County. Barrie doesn’t, Bracebridge, Bradford and Newmarket do not and I’m sure there are others. And additionally nowhere have they allotted funds for the maintenance and repair of these signs. So, in short order, much like the downtown street corner cameras, they will be in disrepair and will have been wasted money.

After approval of this, of course, what happens? Yet another increase in yearly taxes for the taxpayer. And no doubt there will be a forthcoming increase in councillors’ salaries. I think Orillia council should be ashamed of themselves for approving such frivolous expenditures and get back to spending the taxpayers’ money on viable, required services to correct many of the deficiencies within the city.

Bob McCutcheon
Orillia

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