A brand new sign arrived to replace the worn and rotting Clarkston City Offices marker on Depot Road last week, and three more ‘Welcome to Clarkston? signs are slated for instalation by the end of the year.
One of the new signs will mark the north border of town on Main Street, another at the south, and the third will stand on White Lake Road near Lakeview Cemetery.
‘It’s fun to see it there,? said Tom Stone, watching the City Offices sign go up Wednesday. ‘It brings a sense of closure, a sense of accomplishment. I’m happy.?
The four signs cost $8,185, and were financed entirely through private donations solicited by Stone, a longtime Clarkston resident and active member of the community.
In all, $10,055 was raised for the cause, with $2,185 donated anonymously to pay for the new City Offices sign.
A surplus of $1,870 remains, which Stone said will be left in the hands of the Clarkston City Council to use as intended by the donors.
‘We’ll most likely be leaving the money in reserves for more signs,? said Art Pappas, city manager. ‘When the old signs were put in place years ago, there was one on each street entering the city. They’re only putting in three, so hopefully we’ll use that money for more.?
Stone initiated the project when he and his wife, Arlene, both avid walkers, noticed that the tired old signs stood out like a sore thumb against the backdrop of recent improvements to the city.
Knowing the city council had more pressing financial matters and couldn’t approve the funding of new signs, Stone took on the project and began soliciting donations and researching options for new signs.
The project was ultimately contracted to Hamblin Signs on Dixie Highway.
‘It makes me proud to see my work around town,? said Jim Hamblin, who founded the company some 27 years ago. ‘Especially a project like this. I’m part of this community, and I’m proud to be from here.?
The new five-color signs are approximately the size of the old ones, but are of a more distinct design.
In order for the word Clarkston to be visible to drivers from more than 100 feet away, the signs will say ‘Welcome to Clarkston? instead of ‘City of Clarkston,? ‘Village of Clarkston,? or ‘City of the Village of Clarkston.?
The plan for the new signs was previewed with the mayor, the chair of the Historical Commission, members of the Planning Commission, the city manager and donors before presentation to the City Council for approval.