Wheeling officials don't like sign, but don't want to buy another

Now is not the time to spend $72,000 on a new electronic sign, even if no one can read the existing one in front of Wheeling's village hall, local officials have decided.

The sign is shared by the village and Wheeling Park District, which agreed to build and share the cost.

The sign broadcasts messages to drivers on Dundee Road, but for the past few months, residents have complained no one can read the sign's small letters.

The village board looked over a proposal this week to buy a new one for about $72,000 but ultimately decided against the idea.

Back in 2007, the park district and village each budgeted $125,000 - or $250,000 total - to spend on the sign. However, when companies bid on the project, the cost of the sign came in at only $50,000, according to a memo written by Wheeling Village Manager Jon Sfondilis.

Village President Judy Abruscato and Trustee Ken Brady were the only two to vote in favor of buying the bigger sign.

"Fine, the sign will remain as it," Abruscato said. "But I don't want to hear it brought back here again."

Brady said the board screwed up by approving the sign without first seeing it in person.

"We have no one to blame but ourselves," Brady said. "Now that sign is useless because you can't read it. Just turn it off. To me, that sign is useless."

The board almost made the same mistake again on Monday when it debated the new sign, said Trustee Patrick Horcher.

"Has anyone gone to see this sign?" asked Horcher. "We're as equally uninformed on this sign. We don't need to spend the money."

Trustee Dean Argiris said the board "got what we paid for but not what we wanted."

"We're cutting back programs now," Argiris said. "I just think this is something we should look at when times are better."

Jan Buchs, executive director of the Wheeling Park District, was unable to be reached this week. Sfondilis did not return phone calls.