CORNER BROOK Michael Parsons says it is disrespectful for provincial government project signs, with the late Diane Whalen’s name on it, to be left up months after the work has been completed.
Taking a walk or drive along Midland Row in Pasadena, it is hard to miss the capital works announcement on the large board for a sidewalk project.
The Pasadena resident says the sign should not be left up after a project is over regardless, but takes real issue with the deceased minister’s name erected on the sign without just cause.
“The lady died,” Parsons said. “I mean, show some respect here.
“Somebody should have had the sense to take the thing down.”
The former Municipal Affairs Minister died in October, losing a battle against cancer.
Parsons said there are a number of these signs, with Whalen’s name on them, left erected throughout the area.
He wanted his concerns made known to the department, so made a call to suggest having the sign removed. The response he received from a staff member was even more ludicrous, in his opinion.
He says the person he spoke to said the Department was ordering overlays, but Parsons said the project is finished and the sign should be removed. He also said the person would not clearly answer his questions, even deflecting responsibility.
Somebody should have had the sense to take the thing down. - Michael Parsons
“Why leave it up when the job is finished,” he said. “It goes to show the lackadaisical attitudes.
“...I just think it is ridiculous that sort of stuff is allowed to continue, to be left up, and nobody seems to care.”
An email response from a Municipal Affairs spokesperson stated municipal capital works projects take extensive periods of time to complete, attributing it often to the size and scope of the work or such things as the length of the construction season. Therefore, information signs about projects may be posted at the site for an extended period of time while the project is ongoing.
“The Department of Municipal Affairs is aware of this issue and is making an effort to update signage as necessary,” the email stated. “It is the responsibility of a town to remove a sign once a project is complete.”
