Support grows for Old Town entrance sign

The idea of a Ramona community entrance sign over Main Street, heading east into Old Town, is gaining traction.

Ramona Community Planning Group chair Jim Piva said a meeting was recently held with representatives from Caltrans, since Main Street is a state highway (Route 67). Also attending that meeting were residents representing various groups: Rob Lewallen, Ramona Design Review Board; Dawn Perfect, president, Ramona Unified School District Board; Chris Anderson, president, San Diego Association of Realtors; Stephanie Norvell, San Diego Country Estates Association Board; and from the planning group, Piva, Scotty Ensign, vice chair, and Kristi Mansolf, secretary.

“It was very positive and encouraging from Caltrans. They see the concept,” Piva told the planning group at its March 5 meeting. “It seems like everyone is excited about it.”

County Supervisor Dianne Jacob also supports the idea, said Piva.

The community entrance sign would be placed over Main Street just after crossing 10th Street heading east, said Piva.

Piva’s niece, Leslie Souza, a metal artist, will create the entrance sign, if approved. Souza developed the Ramona monument sign at the intersection of Route 67 and Highland Valley Road and has been tapped by Friends of Ramona Library to create metal artwork in front of the library.

Planners pointed out that similar overhead signs are in El Cajon and Old Town Temecula, and Piva said Ramona faces more challenges because its Main Street is a state highway.

Even if Caltrans gives the nod, the project needs to be funded, he noted, and grants could be the answer. Piva said he made a presentation to the Ramona Community Foundation, which typically awards grants in the fall.