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PORT PERRY "WEEKEND STAR" FRIDAY, MAY 12, 2000 - 27 WI blames damage on township plow Sign saga continues with compromise by council By John B. McClelland Port Perry Star The Battle Of The Sign continued to rage in the Scugog council chambers earlier this week, and in the end, it was the politi- cians who blinked. One way or another, the Bethesda Women's Institute will get a new sign to mark the site of the former settlement of Bethesda in Scugog's Ward 1. After Bethesda W.L. member Barb Evans argued forcefully that the municipality should come up with the funds for a new-historical sign to replace the one allegedly destroyed last February by a township snow plow, members of council reluctantly agreed to a compromise of sorts. The township will search out federal and provincial sources of funds for such things as signs and plaques that mark historical sites. And if that search proves fruitless, council will somehow find the money for a new sign. The saga began in mid-February of this year when the large double- faced sign on the town- ship road allowance of Concession 9 was destroyed by what Bethesda members believe was a blast of snow hurled up by a plow travelling at a consider- able rate of speed. The Bethesda W.I. asked the municipality to pay fully for the replace- ment of that sign at a cost of about $1,200. Earlier this year, the council agreed to pay half the cost. Council initially balked at the idea because of a policy which says the municipality will not accept financial responsibility for dam- age to signs, mail boxes and other structures on road allowances. If council gave in to the WI demand, the township would be on the hook for damages every time a mail box was clipped or damaged. In her appearance in- front of council last Monday, Mrs. Evans refused to take that for an answer, stating that the Bethesda Womens Institute "cannot be responsible for the actions of township work- ers." And because this sign 'has "unique historical significance," the council should wave the policy in this case, and come up 'with the funds for a new 75th Anniversary CARTWRIGHT HIGH SCHOOL The Port Perry Star presents this commemorative section in celebration of the 75th Anniversary Reunion June 10-11-12 Limited Space Available Don't be left out Ad Deadline: Tuesday May 23 at 5 pm Call Lisa Monk Today at 985-7383 sign, she argued. The sign was put up in 1993 to mark the location of the historic settlement of Bethesda. At one time there was a United Church there, but it was closed down in 1954, and the Bethesda School met the same fate in the mid 1960s. All of other traces of settlement long ago dis- appeared under the Aff tist Loncspt shifting sands of time. 'Adding to the saga of the Bethesda sign is the fact that the cause of the damage in mid-February remains in dispute. Scugog roads superin- tendent Rob Rodgers said Monday he spoke to the snow plow operator on duty the morning the damage occurred, and was told he does not remember any mishap Model KINGFISHER 2330 sq. ft. Monday, Tuesday & Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday & Thursday by appointment Weekends & Holidays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Local Tel & Fax (905) 985-6344 Toll Free (877) 393-1900 | Hwy 7A (10 PORT PERRY)» "KARVON | HOMES Prices and specifications are subject to change without notice Ey -- Artist's concept. Map not to scale. E. & O. E. involving the sign. "I just can't see us hit- ting that sign," he told the meeting. Mrs. Evans replied that members of her group are "very positive the sign was blown out by snow from a speeding snow plow wing. Council's reluctance to break with policy over this issue was evident in the fact that a motion by ° Fall 2000 closings * Distinctive brick & stone exteriors with Ward | rep Keith Bacon to come up with the funds for a new sign did not get a seconder, and therefore did not pro- ceed to a vote. The motion by coun- cillors Ken Gadsden and Jim McMillen to have the municipality search for outside sources of fund- ing for the sign replace- ment was carried unani- mously. covered porches * Upgraded cabinets BUNGALOWS & TWO STOREYS FROM $199,400 A a lS a i es ge 1 - G