Quaint Vandalism

By Sarah Thornborough

Though Granville is usually clean of graffiti, recently a handful of street signs have been vandalized with spray paint. The graffiti hardly marks the beginning of constant vandalism in town, for the juvenile content of the graffiti almost adds to the town's charm. While some may give a chuckle upon braking for peace at a "stop war" sign, others find the act immature and costly.

At least four damaged signs can be found near Cedar Street and onto Pinehurst Drive.

None of the graffiti is profane or offensive — the traffic sign located at the three-way stop at Cedar Street, Granger Street, and Welsh Hills Road was sprayed with a large "XOXO," one stop sign now reads "STOP XOXO," a sign at the top of Pinehurst Drive that usually says "Keep Right" now instructs drivers to "Keep Left," and a Do Not Enter sign now gives its love with yet another "XOXO." Clearly this is the work of a professional.

It might seem like fun for high schoolers to run around with a spray can and alter town property, but in the end, who has to pay for the replacement of the sign?

Town signs are paid for by taxes paid by the residents of Granville, so essentially this vandal has taken money out of his own pocket to make sure anyone who ventures onto Pinehurst will take a left turn instead of the proper right, a move that has little effect in a 25 mph zone.

To whomever left the graffiti around the Hilengreen community on Pinehurst Drive: We appreciate your "hugs and kisses," but maybe it's time to get a more mature, more productive hobby.

To everyone who plans to drive to the top of Pinehurst: Don't be fooled! Keep right!