Council approves signage requests for Royal Canadian Legion Br. 157

A rendering of the new Legion sign was part of a report on the Aug. 11 town council agenda. Fundraising is ongoing to help pay for the sign. Banners were also approved by town council with photos and names of 25 veterans to be put on light posts along Sandwich St. S. just prior to Remembrance Day.

Amherstburg town council has given its approval for new signage in two different area, but both pertain to Royal Canadian Legion Fort Malden Br. 157.

Town council approved a request from the Legion to have banners installed on light posts along Sandwich St. S. that will bear the names of veterans from Amherstburg who served in times of war.

There will be 25 banners installed initially with the stretch of Sandwich St. S. being between Maple Ave. and Park St. Legion Br. 157 president Shawn Wilkie said the branch will work with families to recognize their loved ones “as space allows” to create a banner featuring their likeness, information including their name, rank and family that sponsored them and the phrase “Lest We Forget.”

“This initiative is an effort to honor and commemorate the sacrifices and contributions of Canadian and local veterans, who have selflessly served our country to defend the freedoms we hold dear today. Allowing the installation of the banners would provide a meaningful and lasting community tribute, reminding residents and visitors alike of the courage and dedication of our veterans. This initiative aligns with our branch’s mission to honor veterans and promote remembrance within the community,” said Wilkie. “Given its location in the heart of Amherstburg, this section of Sandwich St. S holds both historical and symbolic importance, making it a fitting area to recognize the service and sacrifice of those brave men and women.”

The banners would be put up in the weeks leading into Remembrance Day and removed when winter decorations are installed.

Councillor Peter Courtney said it was important to put the names and faces of the veterans in front of the community. He thanked Wilkie and the Legion, noting it is a way to preserve the past. 

Courtney cited the new street signs with poppies on them for streets named after veterans and the crosswalk at the intersection of Dalhousie St. and Murray St. as ways the Legion is working with the town to honour those who served.

“I think this is great,” said Courtney told Wilkie. “Thank you to you guys.”

Councillor Molly Allaire noted Dalhousie St. was dubbed “Veterans’ Way” from roughly Legion Br. 157 to Fort Malden National Historic Site of Canada but the banners are going up on Sandwich St. S. Wilkie said the Legion said the River Lights displays on Dalhousie St. will take up much of the poles and the associated brackets that support items attached to them. There is just a snowflake light on Sandwich St. S., he added.

“The administration and roads department is going to work to adapt to that,” he said.

Mayor Michael Prue noted the veterans banners that are up in Wheatley and thanked the Amherstburg Legion for bringing that idea to town. 

“It’s very moving when you see the banners in a little town,” said Prue. “It’s a huge remembrance. It’s an excellent, excellent thing to do.”

The mayor acknowledged there were more than 25 people who lost their lives in World War I, World War II and the Korean War and hopes there are additional lamp posts used in future years to honour more veterans.

The second sign request that was approved was a new electronic sign that will go up in front of the branch at 281 Dalhousie St. An amendment to the sign bylaw was necessary to allow for an LED sign with council approving it with no debate.

The heritage committee had already endorsed the proposal for a new sign in front of the branch at its June 12 meeting. The new sign will see the existing wooden sign refurbished with the electronic sign being placed in the top half of the space currently occupied by the manual sign.

According to the amendment, the new electronic sign will allow for changing copy for intervals of not less than 60 seconds, will be turned off no later than 11 p.m. every night, meet sign bylaw requirements for illumination levels, have no offsite or third party advertisements, and a sensor that automatically adjusts brightness levels of the sign. 

Heritage planner Adam Coates called the Legion “a community partner” that supports community events and fundraising. They are not a commercial storefront and hold a place in the town similar to organizations like the Gibson Gallery.

“There is a cultural heritage risk associated with this report. Electronic changing copy signs can have an impact on the character of an area. To help mitigate that, the sign is proposed to be kept at a brightness level that is relative to an externally illuminated signs level. This would give the appearance of an externally illuminated sign. Administration and the applicant have negotiated control measures, included in the bylaw, to help mitigate potentially negative impacts,” Coates said in his report to council. “There is a risk that allowing the sign to be electronic changing copy would set a precedent. The Royal Legion of Canada is a registered charity in Canada and a community group. Local branches provide community support and actively participate in community events and fundraising. The Legion will be advertising events and fundraisers happening that are directly related to the Legion much like how they use the current manual changing copy sign. Administration would not recommend amending the bylaw if the applicant was not a non-profit community group.”

Council approves signage requests for Royal Canadian Legion Br. 157

By Ron Giofu