Size Does Matter

The issue of Wayfinding (signs placed throughout the region at taxpayer’s expense) was brought to the forefront about two years ago. Letters were published in the newspaper pointing out the many short coming of this project.

There were many glaring problems with this project: the vast majority of citizens of this community who were very much opposed to this endeavor, the cost of the project, the reason for this project, the extreme inconvenience this could provide, introducing significantly more traffic congestion, using taxpayer’s money to pay for it and at the time not even knowing the final cost of this endeavor.

After the letters were printed, two front page articles appeared in the local newspaper, very much involving the director of the local Chamber of Commerce, Luanne Stauffer championing this questionable enterprise. Even suggesting the tech school would become involved to cut costs. At that time the concern was hiring a consultant for $50,000.00, this price did not even include one sign! Shockingly in spite of all these concerns the various municipalities approved this project with seemingly no concern of the cost to the taxpayers of the community.

From the time of inception to present day there have been many problems with this project, which if properly executed would have never happened. Unfortunately Luanne Stauffer and her disciples continued to muddle through with this struggle; with local government officials swallowing it hook line and sinker.

Very recently a letter was written in the local newspaper pointing out how ridiculous this project is for the community. Also about the same time a Pennsburg Borough council member, Diane Stevens, at a borough meeting pointed out the many problems of this venture. Showing how she is light years ahead of other members of boards throughout this valley in realizing how foolish this action is for the valley taxpayers.

It’s easy to see Mrs. Stevens’s concerns realizing the cost has escalated to an unbelievable $416,000.00 cost. Yes that’s correct $416,000.00 and growing. That’s not necessarily the final cost because it was originally considered that each municipality was to erect the signs for their own area and be responsible for all upkeep. Well it just so happens the signs are so large that an outside contractor will most likely need to be hired to erect these signs, you see “Size Does Matter”, just one more costly mistake with this endeavor. It appears this project could easily top $500,000.00; yes that’s half a million tax dollars.

I recently came in contact with one of Luanne Stauffer’s supporters; this person couldn’t wait to start conversation on the Wayfinding issue. I stated first and foremost the outrageous cost of the signs, seeming to fast approaching half a million dollars. This person who worked for the chamber of commerce made the asinine statement that you should disregard the cost of the project as if this was irrelevant to the citizens of the valley. This person felt it was ever so important to have these signs as they would give us all warm and fuzzy feelings and we would all join hands around the campfire and sing “Kumbaya”, with all of us becoming one. This individual went on to verbalize that which seemed to be the official script for “Wayfinding”, that I have no doubt had been authored by the Chamber Director Luanne Stauffer. Anyone with half a brain would easily fathom this is so much drivel. If Luanne Stauffer and the chamber would put half the effort bringing new commerce to the valley, as she does wasting time on the ridiculous wayfinding signs, she would finally do something positive for the valley. We could be in serious trouble if a facility such as the former Brown Printing should disappear from the valley. We the citizens will be making up the large amount of taxes lost by this facility leaving. But yet we can afford to waste half a million of our tax dollars on these crazy signs.

Just think what a half million dollars of tax money could do for this community, such as taking better care of the infrastructure of this community. We have bridges that are slowly giving way. Just this past summer several of the bridges had temporary repairs done to them so individuals or vehicles don’t go plummeting through, another concern is the need to address streets, roads and highways to improve the need for them to handle all the increased traffic these roadways are now handling. I know many residents in the community have problems with water runoff, washing out their lawns and driveways disappearing. Tax money wasted on these signs certainly could help these people. Wouldn’t $500,000.00 really help the school district? I think if you would have a room full of citizens of this valley come together, they could come up with a hundred better ideas for this tax money.

Now this is a major improvement that could benefit all taxpayers of this community. At a face to face meeting with County Chairman Josh Shapiro, I brought forth the serious need for a new Post Office. We as a community seem to be the only postal patrons in the area to not have a centralized post office. It seems most all the other postal areas such a Quakertown, Gilbertsville, Harleysville have new buildings with easy and safe access.  The location of both East Greenville and Red Hill’s Post Offices make it a challenge to life and property. Is it going to take someone to be killed before action is taken? $500,000.00 of tax money would go a long way for a new safe and conveniently located post office.

Just because of some contrived ideas by a few individuals of this community we are to have signs as huge as eighteen feet high, don’t allow this travesty happen. This is such a beautiful area why deface it with huge eighteen foot signs remember “Size Does Matter”.

This election, vote out all members, who voted for this disaster. It’s most important to find out who they might be, I can only speak for the township in which I live, Upper Hanover Township, that person would be Mr. Gene Fried.