Poppies on Barrie street signs took city councillors in several directions this week.
In the end, after 37 minutes of discussion Wednesday night, council dealt with affixing poppies to current road signs, the spelling of street names and the future of honouring veterans on street signs.
“It’s important we get it right, whether it’s spelling or recognition. Let’s not leave anybody behind,” said Coun. Sergio Morales.
Council approved a much-amended motion to have city staff arrange for the replacement and/or the addition of a poppy to Coleman Drive and Ruffet Drive street signs, and review the feasibility of changing the Mailey Lane street sign to Maley Lane, and Higgin Court to Higgins Court, including costs that may be incurred by the residents if a name change is made, and report back to Heritage Barrie.
All of those streets are in Barrie’s west end.
City staff will also review the list of street signs, in remembrance of veterans that don’t have a street named after them, and any additional streets identified, and report to Heritage Barrie to advise about the names being added to the street name registry, to put veterans’ names on street signs as quickly as possible.
Council heard this could be as many as 16 names.
Mailey Lane and Higgin Court are simply misspelled, but could be fixed while attaching a poppy to their street signs.
“I think it’s important to have the accurate spelling,” said Coun. Gary Harvey. “Not every family member might appreciate the fact that they are being honoured, especially when you’ve got the wrong spelling associated with it. Getting it right is important to honour them appropriately.”
Fixing and changing the spelling to Maley Lane and Higgins Court, which both honour veterans, would affect 24 homes, council heard, on those two streets.
“(If) we have to cover the cost to get this right, I really don’t love that. However, I don’t know what the stories are of these veterans,” said Mayor Alex Nuttall. “They might have come home, they may not have come home.
“And I find it very difficult to go to homeowners and say to them — you’re either going to have the wrong name on your home now … or you’re going to have to pay for that (street name) to be changed," he added.
Street name changes can affect addresses affixed to houses, mail, stationary, identification, etc.
“Closing the gate when the horses have run is an issue,” said Deputy Mayor Robert Thomson. “If it’s not the correct spelling of the veteran, maybe we shouldn’t consider the poppy.”
Barrie’s street-naming policy always considers veterans, but also works to avoid name duplication or similarity to avoid any confusion for firefighters, ambulances or police on emergency calls.
“The street names go through a rigorous process and review,” said city clerk Wendy Cooke.
This motion is not expected to be implemented by Nov. 11, Remembrance Day, which honours veterans with poppies.
