Vandals causing big concerns for town's roads department
Recent weather conditions brought to a head some local concerns about people removing traffic signs in the town.
Mayor David Anderson said he has learned there are a lot of missing road signs in Minto.
Whether it is a stop sign, or one indicating a bend in the road, it is something serious, Anderson said. He made the point that in the recent foggy weather, he had been driving along a stretch of road, only to notice the sign was missing at a T-intersection.
He said if he had not been familiar with that road, he might have gone straight through, he said.
Anderson appealed to residents that anyone seeing the signs being vandalized or removed to contact the town or the OPP immediately.
“People could be hurt or killed,” Anderson said.
Those caught can be charged with criminal negligence.
“A lot of people might feel it is fun to have traffic signs in their rec rooms, but the signs are there to save lives,” he added.
Councillor Rick Hembly, who is also a Minto firefighter, has seen the effect missing road signs can have. He recalled an incident where a missing sign led to a truck going through an intersection, resulting in the death of a 26-year-old man.
“If you want a stop sign for your basement ... go purchase one,” he said. “Today there are two kids without a father because of this.”
Later public works director Norm Fisk said in one instance, those taking the signs must have had trouble unbolting them because the posts themselves were sawed off by a chainsaw.
But, Fisk added, signs are not the only things being sought.
Apparently someone took the top of a fire hydrant from the Harriston works yard as well.
