Alexander’s electronic sign is lit up and posting messages

(CORRECTION: Corrections indicated with strike-thru & underline marks. 02/04/2018, 02/05/2018)

It’s been over a year since the new sign for Alexander City Hall was ordered and around six months ago it was installed. After solving several issues the electronic half of the sign was turned on Friday (February 2). The new sign replaces a small weathered wooden sign and a ground-level marquee that was removed several years ago.

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The electronic sign was purchased from Ace Signs Lux LED in Dallas for around $4,000 $6,200 near the end of 2016. Since Lux didn’t have a local installer Ace Signs was contracted to fabricate the blue and white top sign and legs then install the sign with the billboard.

According to Mayor Paul Mitchell after it was erected around mid-2017 it was noticed some parts were missing, most noticeably the cooling fans and Wi-Fi receiver. The Wi-Fi would allow the messages to be changed without running a network cable. At the time Mitchell said Ace couldn’t locate the original parts, which allegedly came with the sign, so replacements were ordered and eventually installed.

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When the Wi-Fi still didn’t work and it was determined the sign needed a 240 volt power source instead of 120, a second power line and a network cable was run to the sign from city hall. And, with all that it still wouldn’t activate.

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A Lux technician flew in from Dallas, Texas Thursday and determined another part was still missing. With none available in Arkansas the part was shipped over-night and installed Friday.

It is currently posting six messages, as seen in the photos. Mitchell also plans to include messages such as meeting announcements and burn ban notices.