Kensington Sign Debate: Let’s build a new sign now
Guest editorial by Louise Guarnotta

When I was first approached to present the Kensington Talmadge Community Association’s “side” to the on-going saga of our sign, my response was that there are no sides. We often find ourselves on what initially appears to be opposite sides of an issue, when in reality we all have the same goal. I think that‘s the case with the Kensington sign: we all want a sign that looks like the original.
The Association that owns the sign recognized the old one was in poor condition and decided to raise the funds to replicate it with a hanging system that would last for the rest of this century and not be out of scale for the neighborhood.

If cables could meet the criteria of durability, they likely would either be higher than the existing 2-story building to the north and much higher than the library to the south, or would need to be much larger in circumference on a relatively narrow, busy sidewalk. It’s dubious that this wire could be attached to the library.

After spending much time and money on design and permits, we were blind-sided by Celia Conover who had the sign declared historical. She did this in spite of the fact that nearly 500 households voted for the new sign with $100 donations. If the historical application had been done more openly and earlier in our endeavor, I believe there would not be this “line in the sand.”

My family has lived in Kensington for 64 years and we are deeply saddened by newbies who take actions without regard to the wishes of the majority of our residents. The Community Association has devoted 3 years to this project and now thousands of dollars to prove our point that the sign is contaminated with lead and probably PCBs and is not fit for repair for a variety of other reasons. We now know that the sign contains 9 times the amount of lead than allowed by law, and contrary to what one of your readers said, it cannot be painted over. Incidentally, not a single person who spoke in favor of the old sign at the Planning Group meeting had taken the time to view it and personally determine whether or not they think it’s salvageable. How strange is that? It seems irresponsible to speak so emphatically about something they’ve never even seen.

With the passage of time and depletion of resources, our beloved sign is now in real jeopardy.