LAGRANGE CITY COUNCIL APPROVES SIGN

On Monday night, August 3, 2009, the LaGrange City Council voted to allow the controversial sign at the LaGrange City Hall to remain with modification to the lighting. The vote was 6 to 1. The only member of the Council to vote against the sign was Joe Davenport. Davenport stated that he was a good friend of Beaumont, whose name is on the sign, but that he believed that the sign was not in conformance with the guidelines of the Historical Commission.

Tom Williams represented the Historical Commission and Blake Haselton represented the Park Board. Williams stated that the sign did not meet the guidelines of the Historical Commission. Thus, he stated that the Council should deny the appeal. Haselton quoted part of the guidelines which state, “ It is the intent of this document to be a guide to
help in the completion of a project in a manner that is compatible with the historic nature of LaGrange.” Haselton’s quote appeared to make a positive impression on some members of the Council.

While Haselton’s quote was accurate, the fact is that the sign design was never presented to the Commission for approval. Therefore, the Commission never had the opportunity to use the guidelines as a guide. However, the Council has spoken and absent the Commission appealing the decision to the Circuit Court the sign will remain.