Kincardine finally approves municipal signage program
By Liz Dadson

Kincardine Council

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It took a recorded vote, but Kincardine council has finally approved its municipal signage program.

Presented in July, the program has been held up while the tourism committee (CHAT) debated what to do with three historic signs in Bruce Township, as well as other old signs throughout the municipality.

The program was back on the committee-of-the-whole table last night (Oct. 7), with an agreement hammered out between CHAT and the Bruce Township Historical Society. It states that the three historic signs indicating the former boundary of Bruce Township will continue to be maintained at their current locations, with a new add-on to the existing signs saying Bruce Township is now a proud part of the Municipality of Kincardine.

Economic development and tourism manager Steve Murray requested the entire program be approved, bearing in mind that council can modify the implementation over the proposed four- to five-year schedule.

"We have to put this to bed," said councillor Randy Roppel, chairman of the CHAT committee. "I hope council will support the program and move forward."

08/10/2009 12:07 AM

Councillor Guy Anderson asked if CHAT had any photos of what the signs are going to look like.

"We'll use the existing signs," said Roppel, "and add to the bottom that the township is part of the Municipality of Kincardine. This is the best route. I will gladly provide you with a picture later."

"I support retaining the Bruce Township signs, but not the $470,000 cost (for the signage program)," said councillor Mike Leggett. "We can't afford a fire truck. There will be nothing to come and see when it's all burned down."

Roppel explained that the $470,000 is the total cost of the program, which is being done in phases. "And there's no guarantee that this program will proceed beyond this council," he said, noting there is $110,000 in this year's budget for gateway entrance signs for the former Village of Tiverton and former Town of Kincardine.

"In our first community plan workshop, signage was identified as a weakness that we have to address," said mayor Larry Kraemer.

In council session later on, the signage program was put to a recorded vote and was approved, 5-3, with mayor Larry Kraemer, deputy mayor Laura Haight and councillors Kenneth Craig, Randy Roppel and Marsha Leggett in favour, while councillors Guy Anderson, Gordon Campbell and Mike Leggett opposed. Councillor Ron Hewitt was absent.

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