I too think the sign is ugly and tacky. I enjoy visiting Hilton Head where all the signs are taupe and brown..even the Target sign conforms to the town's requirements. No big neon.

This sign might not even get installed number one, number two, all the organizations that ask to use the sign call up and tell us what to put on it. The time it takes to put the new stuff up on the current sign is ridiculous.

Twenty Two Grand for a sign? Now I know I will never make a donation to the fire department. They have money to burn, obviously! Who gives a crap about it being ugly! Doesn't anybody care about wasting money?

Doesn't anyone on the Council care that money is being thrown away on this sign? I agree with the other Joseph. Who cares what it looks like. $22,000???

Ultimately, there are many things within our community that are not akin to every residents' individual tastes. Regardless of the subjectiveness of any particular proposal, the function of the regulatory bodies involved is to ensure existing ordinances are not violated, and ultimately, the safety and integrity of the community is preserved. In this situation, Mr. Nardine's point is valid, a modernized sign as proposed would be safer to maintain (change). Similar signs are already in existence throughout the township, with one being within 500 feet from the site in question. As long as the sign is operated according to established ordinances (that are intended to minimize any distraction posed by the content-evolving nature of electronic signage), there is no basis to deny the fire dept's right to utilize signage as so many other entities already do within the township, regardless of how meritous the aesthetics and/or benefits may or may not be.

Joe,

I welcome you to come volunteer at the fire station we would be more than happy to have you. We are always looking for new members

Kim,
I am not trying to be nasty what so ever, sorry if it came across that way. Trying to improve the look and communication to all the citizens of the community. We are always trying to improve this community. Being that Joe number 1 and 2 seem to know what we burn our money on seems a bit short sided on their part. The current sign is in need of repair frequently because of its age and we are simply trying to up-grade it. We have a budget and have been saving money for capital improvements on a yearly basis.

This is the first Joe. I was simply trying to get folks in charge of things to think about what they are doing with the money that is either donated to them or forcibly given to them through taxes. When it is not your own money, it is so easy to throw it away on "stuff" like the sign, in this example. Our Federal Government does this all the time. Doesn't the fire department need any new or upgraded equipment that they can use to save lives? Does a sign that says Happy New Year and Change Your Smoke Detector Batteries really need to cost $22,000? Why does a fire department need to take on the role of advertising football fund raisers, pankcake breakfast events, and other non fire fighting related activities? Doesn't anybody care in the least about even the APPEARANCE that money is being wasted?

I have been thinking about a new sign for 5 years while changing it in the dead of winter while I was waiting for the fire truck to come back to the station after a call at 1:30am. No money is forcibly given to the volunteer department. We are constantly upgrading equipment and fire service related items. We post all community related activities as well as fire department activities on this message board to let the community know what is going on. You have no idea the amount of request we get to use this sign and we try to get to everyone (but we only have 5 lines on the current board and can only post one thing at a time). It is a benefit to all citizens and organizations in the township that have no other means to advertise their events.