PORT TOWNSEND — The message “Welcome to Po Town” at the south end of Port Townsend is expected to be returned to its original “Welcome to Port Townsend” early next week.
About two weeks ago, vandals removed the six letters that turned “Port Townsend” into “Po Town” on the sign at state Highway 20 and Mill Road.
Replacements for the wooden letters are expected to arrive this week, and Rick Sepler, Port Townsend planning director, hopes to have them erected early next week, he said.
The vandalism of the welcome sign is not only a criminal act, but also sends the wrong message, said the director of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce.
“This is so pointless. It’s costly, and I just wonder why,” said Teresa Verraes, director of the chamber.
“And it is untrue,” she added.
“The area is thriving. Downtown is thriving. There are a lot of new businesses.”
The Port Townsend Police Department took a report but had no success in tracking down the perpetrators, Sgt. Ed Green said.
Repair sign
The city, which plans to replace the sign as part of its wayfinding project during the next eight months, will use about $1,000 from the wayfinding budget to repair it, Sepler said.
He added that though replacement was scheduled, city officials want to fix the damage as quickly as possible.
The sign was built in the 1960s, said Tim Caldwell, former Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce executive director. It has been renovated several times.
The last renovation — when the current letters were attached and the message “Washington’s Victorian Seaport & Arts Community” added — was in 2003 or 2004, he said.
Verraes said maintenance of the sign is shared between the chamber, the city and Puget Sound Energy, which provides the lighting.
“I just want to see it fixed,” Verraes said. “It’s a beautiful sign.
“It’s a statement of pride in the community. It’s an acknowledgment to visitors and a welcome-home to those who live here.
“It’s like when you come over the Hood Canal Bridge and get a feeling of relief.
“You see the sign and know that you are home.”
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
