While members of Penhold council like and support the new digital sign, they have heard some passionate mixed feelings about the town's newest and glitzy piece of technology.
A new electronic information sign was installed on the north side of Penhold, near the corner of highways 2A and 42 a week before Christmas.
Although it currently has limited displays, such as the weather and a Town of Penhold logo, it is expected it will soon share information on events, and happenings in the town.
At a recent council meeting on Jan. 11, councillors spoke about the reaction they've heard from several Penhold residents.
“I've had a lot of negative feedback over the (digital) sign. Location, cost, how it looks, and why it's not running,” said Coun. Mike Walsh. “It's one of those things where once it is up and fully functional and doing what we need it to do, I think people will buy into it a little bit more, but the initial response has been quite negative.”
“There's been lots of people telling me they don't like it as of right now,” added Walsh.
But Mayor Dennis Cooper said he has heard the opposite – plenty of positive commentary over the new digital sign.
“They (Penhold residents) said it was a good idea and they liked the idea,” Cooper told council.
Despite some backlash from the public, Penhold council, including Cooper, Walsh and Coun. Cory Kingsfield, were pleased with the new crossroads innovation.
“I was excited about the sign when I saw it go up,” said Kingsfield, noting that he took some photos of the sign and shared them on social media but did not expect the vast number of comments he received on it.
“A lot of people love it and a lot of people don't like it,” he added. “I think the sign is great and I love it.”
Although the sign is up and running, it is not fully operational at the present time, noted Cooper.
“Right now they (staff) are still training and putting parts in it so it's not fully operational yet,” he said. “It should be fully operational within a week.”
Cooper also pointed out that it was several councillors who first introduced the idea of installing an electronic or digital sign in Penhold.
“Councillor (Michael) Yargeau and councillor Walsh felt that we need to communicate better and they felt the digital sign would help do that,” said Cooper. “That's why we're in the Innisfail Province, we did our website and why we have the Penhold Reporter going out (every month),” he explained. “The whole idea is to communicate with people so people know what's happening in Penhold.”
Cooper said the digital sign will eventually have several messages on either side that will change every eight seconds, providing Penhold residents with information on events, weather and happenings in the town.
Despite the negativity, Cooper said he's pleased to hear citizens supporting both sides and voicing their opinions.
“We have to prove it's an excellent instrument to communicate a number of different things to citizens,” said Cooper. “Then it will meet its purpose.”
Coun. Mike Walsh
"It's one of those things where once it is up and fully functional and doing what we need it to do, I think people will buy into it a little bit more, but the initial response has been quite negative."
