BarrieToday welcomes letters to the editor at [email protected]. Please include your daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication). The following letter was also sent to Coun. Mike McCann, Coun. Robert Thomson and Mayor Jeff Lehman. It is in response to a story titled 'No public money in McCann's landmark sign, all to be fund-raised' published on Feb. 22.
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Hello Mike,
I read about your suggestions for a big, eye-catching sign to be erected in Meridian Place.
Congratulations for thinking of ways to enhance the underused Meridian Square.
I think it’s a worthwhile idea, but I have several caveats.
I was discussing the pros and cons of erecting this sign with several contacts and a common refrain was the following: Should we be spending money on a sign during these dire and uncertain times when COVID has negatively impacted the lives of so many people?
I have to admit I agree with the previously stated concerns, however seeing that no taxpayers/ public funds will be used for this planned project, it means that donations will be only from residents who support this specific project.
So I was thinking what if added other appealing elements to the erection, so it becomes much more than a tourist attracting sign.
Here are my brainstorming ideas:
* All around the sign all kinds of planting beds, different sized planters, etc., could be created and installed.
* Downtown businesses, garden enthusiasts, garden clubs, art clubs and other service clubs, etc., would all have the opportunity to promote their businesses, etc., following the guidelines and cost decided by the city.
* A positive outcome would be that all participants would do their very best to ensure their contributions would be as eye-catching and memorable as possible.
* It would definitely be a win-win-win as the businesses etc. got a chance to advertise, the city would get extra money in their coffers, and visitors would enjoy the ambiance and many photo ops.
From my observations of many squares in Europe, one of the reasons that Meridian Square is so underused is the lack of seating.
May I suggest you provide many opportunities to sit on a variety of interesting configurations for seating — I have seen many unique structures where one can sit, but never lie down (no worry about homeless people using them as a place to nap).
Another idea I observed in Quebec City were beds of veggies and herbs with the signs with the names downtown restaurants and instructions not to pick the veggies
To add an element of history, could we have a short graphic history of Barrie printed with colourful text and a variety of fonts on each of the letters.
May I suggest for a fundraiser that you either use the beaver you already have or acquire a new works of where visitors can deposit their loose change (signage would indicate what the money would be used for.)
I am a children’s author and illustrator and I am just launching my 17th book entitled The Magic of Pollinators. I would be quite willing to participate in some kind of fundraising/book-signing in Meridian Square this summer.
Gwen Petreman
Barrie
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