Banner error draws social media sneers
A spelling mistake on banners in downtown Fort Erie shouldn’t take away from all the hard work being done by volunteers in the area, says a local businessman.
Three weeks ago, 30 banners were hung along Jarvis Street by the Bridgeburg Business Improvement Association. There is a variety of expressions and catchphrases on them and three of them are supposed to read ‘Seize the Day,’ but due to an error, they read ‘Sieze the Day.’
A local resident posted a photo on Facebook earlier this week to his own page as well as a group called Fort Erie Hi-Lites, where a handful of people discuss and debate local issues and events. Both posts have been deleted. Peter Koutroulakis, the owner of Old Bank Bistro, says despite the mishap, the banners are a wonderful addition to the historic downtown core.
“This new BIA board has done wonders to improve the beautification of the street,” said Koutroulakis.
“I’m more inclined to just commend the volunteer board for their efforts and not hold them responsible for a contracted company’s editing error on one banner out of dozens more that were conveying positivity and the ongoing forward momentum of the historic part of Fort Erie,” he added.
The 30 banners each cost approximately $60 and were paid for through the BIA levy, according to co-chair Katie Miller.
She also said the three with the spelling error are being replaced at no cost by the printing company that made and hung the banners – due to it being an editing error, said Miller.
She said the copy was sent to the printing company with the mistake but it was not caught.
Miller said her board is focusing on “more pressing matters” like local beautification efforts and organizing community events in the neighbourhood.
She is also disappointed that people would take to social media and ridicule volunteers — many of whom divide their time while being parents, spouses, employers and business owners.
“It’s sad to see that in our small town anyone would choose to mock volunteers who work hard to make this a better place for all of us to enjoy,” said Miller, who also received an apology from the person who posted about the incorrect spelling of ‘seize’ on Facebook.
Miller said the BIA is looking forward to moving on and that the banners will be replaced in the next few days.
“We all make mistakes and we are pleased to fix them,” she said.
The Bridgeburg BIA is gearing up for its next event, a street dance to be held Sept. 23.