Written By David Gomez, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
STRATHROY – Council voted narrowly to proceed with the Gateway Signage Tender Award despite debate over whether the new signs are a necessary expense amid tightening municipal budgets.
At the November 5 meeting, councillors reviewed a staff report recommending that Pacific Sign Group Inc. of Oshawa be awarded the contract for solar-illuminated gateway and service club signs, valued at $269,976 plus HST, with a 15% contingency bringing the total to $310,473 — still within the $425,000 approved in the 2025 capital budget.
The discussion quickly turned to whether the project represented good financial stewardship. “If these are just the road signs going in on the county roads, I do believe we already have signs adequate enough to tell us where we are,” said Councillor Brian Derbyshire, who moved to defer the project and reallocate the funds to next year’s capital budget. “This is kind of more a want than a need… an easy way to put $450,000 back into a budget when it is not really needed.”
Director of Community Services Rob Lilbourne explained that the updated designs, approved earlier in the year, feature enhanced graphics reflecting each community — Strathroy’s town hall bell tower, Melbourne’s furrows, and Mount Brydges’ wheat motif. The proposed steel, solar-powered signs would replace older wooden versions and improve durability. “From a longevity perspective and appearance over time, there is a large difference,” Lilbourne said.
Derbyshire, however, maintained that the timing was wrong. “When you get down to being good stewards of money, is this a good way to spend your money? $260,000 replacing signs that are there for free?” he asked, noting that the County of Middlesex had already installed updated signs along some of the same routes.
Supporters of the project countered that the signs represent more than simple markers. Councillor Sandi Hipple emphasized their role in economic development. “It is kind of an important thing for people wanting to build businesses or bring businesses. Definitely, this would be something I know would be appreciated,” she said.
Director of Economic Development and Community Engagement Heather Lalonde added that attractive signage helps create positive first impressions for investors. “When investors are looking at communities, one of the first impressions they see is the sign,” she said. “If a community appears it is investing in itself, it becomes more attractive.”
Councillor Greg Willsie expressed reservations about duplicating signage already installed by the county. “The new signs actually were quite an improvement over the old ones. They do look nice. They are also free,” he noted, echoing Derbyshire’s fiscal caution.
Deputy Mayor Mike McGuire agreed that cost pressures warranted consideration but reminded colleagues that “it is not done for free… we pay taxes to the county.”
The recorded vote reflected the divide: Councillors Derbyshire, Willsie, and Deputy Mayor McGuire opposed the project, while Councillors Hipple, Brennan, Pelkman, and Mayor Colin Grantham voted in favour. The motion to award the tender carried.
The vote closed the debate for now, but questions raised about timing and spending priorities suggest that discussions on balancing beautification projects with fiscal restraint are far from over.
