Downtown business struggling, signage needed

Editor:

We were promised proper signage for the village of Creemore before [the Esso station and Tim Hortons] broke ground at Cashtown Corners (at the zoning public meeting). 

It was to be a condition of the franchise to pay for the sign at the corner of County Road 9 and Airport Road. 

Three years has passed and there is nothing visible to give passing drivers at the Cashtown intersection any information that Creemore is only two kilometres west.

Downtown businesses are dependent on tourist traffic, which has severely diminished since Tim Hortons opened two years ago. As the upcoming municipal election in October approaches, can we not make this an election issue for all members of council, deputy mayor and mayor?

In reference to the same topic at a monthly BIA meeting where Clearview Township Director of Community Services Mara Burton was a guest speaker, I questioned the signage issue. Her response was that the Clearview branded signs were not complete but they would be putting an information kiosk at the plaza to inform passing tourists. Needless to say, this hasn’t been done either. 

Mill Street business owners are struggling. Our costs are increasing (hydro, gas, taxes, minimum wage, etc.) and our bottom line for profitability is being minimized.

Proper signage seems to be a simple solution. “Build it and they will come.”

Norma Panzine, 

Creemore. 

Owner of Affairs Bakery and Café.