By Rich Pollack
Time is running out for Highland Beach residents who want to make their mark on the town.
After Feb. 10 town leaders will no longer accept design ideas for gateway signs at each end of the town, all part of a contest meant to encourage residents to get involved in Highland Beach.
With the response to the contest not as enthusiastic as Vice Mayor Natasha Moore had expected, entries coming in this month might still have a chance at being selected as a finalist before town residents vote on the winner.
As of the middle of last month just under a dozen entries had been submitted. Those entries, Moore said, include hand-made drawings as well as photographs of entry signs of other communities.
“This is an opportunity for residents to make an improvement in the town,” said Moore, the driving force behind the initiative.
The contest was born out of concerns about how the existing entry signs are all but falling apart.
“They’re made of wood and they’re rotting,” Moore said.
Although the town could easily ask for outside bids from commercial artists and designers, town leaders chose to get input from residents first.
“There are a lot of creative people in town,” Moore said.
People who are interested but have yet to submit designs can send their entries via email at townsign@highlandbeach.us or just drop them off at the town clerk’s office.
All entries will be reviewed by the Town Commission on Feb. 21 and finalists will be selected. Residents will then have until the end of March to choose their favorite.
Moore said town leaders will than work with a sign contractor to develop the concept.
While there isn’t a monetary award, the creator of the winning entry will have bragging rights and be named on plaques that will be placed near the entry signs.
“You get to claim it as your own,” Moore said.
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