The “No Hill Like Coe Hill” sign is a familiar sight for anyone going in and out of the area.
A rainbow art piece that was a part of the sign was vandalized on Saturday evening, Wollaston Township says on their Facebook page.
Reeve of the Township Barb Shaw calls the damage done to the sign “heartbreaking.” She adds that most of the messages they have gotten at the Township office have been saying that something like this happened is not okay.
“The rainbow is a very important symbol and I hope that this was not somebody pushing back against that. I hope it’s not homophobia,” Shaw says. Local artisan Jono Gooch has said he will fix the sign and it will be placed back at its former position on the “No Hill Like Coe Hill” sign.
The Township says they have contacted the OPP to file a report. They add that they will make the needed repairs and replace the damaged rainbow. They have also put out a call to anyone that might have information on what happened. “We are all impacted by these senseless, hurtful acts of vandalism,” they say.
“As a community, we need to continue to express signs and symbols of caring, welcome and love – without late-night hateful attacks as a response,” the Township posted in a statement on their page. “Please, let’s use this as a reminder that as a community we need to welcome, support and care for all people. Always.”