Marion hit with bill for unrealized A&P sign project

Marion hit with bill for unrealized A&P sign project

Memphis firm wants to be paid for design work

By Mark Randall

news@theeveningtimes.com

Marion has been hit with a hefty bill for design work on an electronic billboard which it never erected.

Mayor Frank Fogleman told Marion Advertising and Promotions Commission that he got an unexpected bill in excess of $5,000 from Williams Sign Co. Inc. of Memphis for their work two years ago on the sign.

In 2013 and 2014 the city discussed the possibility of building a new welcome sign with an LED message board capable of displaying ads and upcoming events.

A& P approved spending up to $75,000 to build the sign, but the city never went forward with the project.

Williams Sign Co. Inc.

came up with multiple designs for the sign — similar to one in Ripley, Miss. — and even brought several working examples to an A& P meeting for members to look at to consider.

But according to Fogleman, there was never any mention that they would be billed for the design work.

“It was going to be a changing message board along the Interstate but it fell apart and we didn’t do it,” Fogleman said. “I never was aware that there would be a charge for design work if we didn’t do the project.

It never crossed my mind there would be a charge.”

Fogleman said he considers the work part of doing business.

The sign company, however, contends that the design is proprietary information.

Councilman David Bigger, who is a member of A& P, asked whether there was a contract with Williams spelling out any costs for the work.

“No,” Fogleman said.

“And quite frankly, had I been made of such a charge beforehand I don’t know that I would have pursued it.”

Bigger agreed and added that if there was nothing in writing then the city shouldn’t be charged.

“If they don’t have a contract that we signed stating we owe that money, I don’t see where we do,” Bigger said.

Fogleman said the discussion over the sign was handled by the former head of the Chamber of Commerce Diane McAdoo.

Current chamber president Mike Demster said there is nothing in their records to help shed any additional light on the matter.

statefarm. com

A& P Chairman Khalil Nashatt said he also agrees that they should not have to pay the bill.

“They didn’t mention anything to us,” Nashaat said.

“These people are trying to sell a product. If you come in to Wendy’s to sell a product they give it to you for free to test it. It costs money to make money because

we want you to buy it.” Fogleman said he planned

to contact Williams to discuss the matter further.

“I intend to talk to Stephanie (Williams) and maybe Diane to see if she can fill me in about what they feel obligated us,” Fogleman said. “But my initial reaction when I got the bill is that it is a cost of doing business. I’m not trying to be ugly about it. But if I had known about it on the front I wouldn’t have gone for it at the time.”