Verona’s electronic message board up and running

Craig Bakay | Jul 26, 2017

It was several years in the making, and not without several roadblocks, but last week the Verona Community Association celebrated the official unveiling of its new electronic message sign.

The new sign sits exactly where the old manual sign sat. The old board was serviceable but it was partial to one particular problem. Changing the letters was fine in the summer, but in the winter — not so much.

“Snow tended to cover up the box where the letters were kept and it also covered up the ditch,” said VCA president Wayne Conway. But because they wanted to promote local events, they soldiered on.

The idea of going digital started several years ago when the VCA started putting away funds for a new sign, Conway said. The land the sign was on belonged to the Township and there were concerns that it might have negative effects on traffic. It also turned out that Hydro One needed an address to provide power but these got worked out.

“The VCA is very active,” said Mayor Ron Vandewal. “We hear from them a lot.

“But the selling point for us on the sign was that we could use it for messages concerning road work and closures and such.

“We do a lot of work together with the VCA.”

“It’s absolutely amazing what you can do,” said Coun. John McDougall. “We’re so lucky to have an organization like the VCA.”

In the end, the Township gave the VCA use of the land, installed the poles and provided access to power. The Verona Lions Club provided financial assistance for the installation and Reid’s Foodland cuts the grass.

The VCA is a registered corporation which promotes community involvement and the welfare of the area. It is governed by a board of eight members elected for two-year terms. Membership is open to anyone living within an area roughly bounded by Verona, Godfrey, Desert Lake, Hartington and Bellrock.