Power on the waterfront

by Tom Morrison

 

A local energy company has offered to donate a solar-powered charging station to Windsor’s riverfront, but city council has postponed its decision because of advertising on the unit.

Green Sun Rising Inc. produces a solar-powered bench that can be used for charging laptops, cell phones and other electronic devices and it has a sign that promotes the company’s website. On Oct. 1, council decided to hold their vote on the matter until they resolve the advertising issue with the company and a suitable location for the bench is chosen.

Klaus Dohring, president of Green Sun Rising, said he was disappointed by council’s decision and he won’t change the design on the bench unless the city purchases it.

“If the city wants to buy a unit, that’s fine. We’ll take the Green Sun Rising sign down. If somebody buys a unit, then we don’t have a leg to stand on to have a big company sign on it,” said Dohring. “If it’s a donation, in my view then that’s a different case.”

Dohring said his company will try to resolve this issue with the administration and he would like to see the bench in a high traffic area on the waterfront. He also said he hasn’t been told when the vote will happen and hasn’t begun discussions with city council.

Ward 9 Coun. Hilary Payne said it usually takes a month or so for something like this to get rescheduled. He said the bench would be useful but its advertisement would make other companies want to place promotions on city property.

“I think it would set a precedent that would be difficult to overcome,” said Payne. “We’d have a lot of other companies coming and saying, ‘Hey, I want advertising as well,’ so there should be a small plaque giving recognition to the owner, but certainly nothing like the size that he was proposing.”

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