The forlorn symbolism of this orphaned "Vote Democrat" sign lying where it fell by Spring Street.

These photos are worth a thousand words, but in the end, does anyone care? It's only been two and a half months.

(Yes, I could do it; have before and will again, but not unlike Adam's Tattered Legion, I'm willing to score propaganda points now and again.)

The newspaper remembers Karem's Meats: "Closed after 53 years, remembered for selection, service."

Previously noted here.

Consider it newspaper's "official" obit.

As the photo above illustrates, there are places where Karem's still is "open"; the ghost sign at the old location remained affixed throughout the period of Plaza Drive operation, and persists to the present day even though the building was razed.

Weird, though quintessentially New Albanian.

Karem's Meats, closed after 53 years, remembered for selection, service, by Danielle Grady (News and Tribune)

NEW ALBANY — Almost one year after a change in ownership and seventh months after switching locations, Karem’s Meats in New Albany closed last week after 53 years in business, dismaying generations of locals who visited the meat market for its fresh selection and customer service.

“…We just weren’t making projections,” said Matt Nash, who bought Karem’s Meats from Greg Karem last March. “The move hurt us more than we expected it to.”

Nash, who is also a New Albany city councilman, had grown up around Karem’s and thought purchasing the business was a “good opportunity.” But after a new company purchased Karem’s strip center to raze it, Nash moved the meat market from its longtime State Street location to a building three miles away along Plaza Drive. Many customers didn’t follow him despite the addition of a deli. By January, Nash was no longer able to pay his bills, and felt that he couldn’t keep the business open, especially while supporting a young family.

Greg Karem, who sold Karem’s after five to six years of serving as caretaker to his wife, said he was disappointed that the shop had closed, but hopes Nash “lands on his feet.”

Yo, CM Phipps: Why doesn't this sign prevent destructive monster truck immigration?

See that sign by the stop light?

Here's a closeup. It hangs from the spot where westbound one-way traffic commences on Spring Street.

So, if no heavy trucks are supposed to be traveling past this point, how do we explain this?

And this.

And these.

Padgett and friends have filed a suit alleging that these heavy trucks are being prevented from using their rightful street (Main Street) owing to beautification changes there. Accepting these claims at face value, how does it make these heavy trucks on Spring Street any more legal?

Shouldn't they be ticketed for improperly using the street?

City Hall snorts: "But if we have two-way streets, we'll have to replace all these crappy old faded street signs."

Viewed from the southwest.

Viewed from the northeast.

So ... which city entity is responsible for restoring luster to faded signage? It's that elusive Traffic Commission ... in fact, so very elusive that we don't have one.

Did you know that in New Albany, a Traffic Commission is stipulated by ordinance?

So, who's taken over the job?

§ 70.27  ERECTION OF SIGNS.

   (A)   Whenever any ordinance of the city designates and describes a through street, it shall be the duty of the Traffic Commission to place and maintain a stop sign on each and every street intersecting the through street or that portion thereof described and designated as such by any ordinance of the city.

   (B)   The Traffic Commission is hereby authorized to determine and designate intersections where particular hazards exist upon other than through streets and to determine whether vehicles shall stop at one or more entrances to any such stop intersection, shall erect a stop sign at every such place where a stop is required, or in the event the Traffic Commission determines that reduced speed rather than a stop is adequate for safe operation of any such intersection, it shall erect signs upon the approach to the intersection, giving notice of the speed.

   (C)   Every stop sign shall bear the word "stop" in letters of not less than six inches in height, shall be provided with reflector button or, if not, then shall be self-illuminated at night. Every stop sign shall be located as near as practicable at the proper line of the street at the entrance to which the stop must be made, or at the nearest line of the crosswalk thereat or, if not, at a limit line to be indicated by the Traffic Commission.

   (D)   Whenever, by any ordinance of the city, a one-way street is described or any time-limit parking is imposed, it shall be the duty of the Traffic Commission to erect appropriate signs giving notice thereof.

(Ord. 4139, passed 11-27-1939)