A showpiece of Lhtako Dene Park has been willfully damaged. Police are now involved, and the City of Quesnel forced to do repairs after the selfish act.
“The City of Quesnel is appealing for information after the new Lhtako Dene Park Territory sign was vandalized with graffiti,” said a statement from City Hall.
The vandalism took place sometime between Sunday, July 16 and Monday, July 17. The City has filed a police report and Public Works is in the process of removing the graffiti.
“This unacceptable act of destructive vandalism further strengthens our resolve as we continue along our path towards meaningful and lasting reconciliation,” said Ron Paull, mayor of Quesnel.
The poorly scrawled lettering reveals an attempt at the words Ceal Tingley, the former mayor of Quesnel for whom the site was temporarily named. It was recently re-named Lhtako Dene Park based on history that long predates and overarches the application of that name in that spot (Ceal Tingley’s legacy will be ensconced in other ways). His family issued a statement of their own, following the incident.
“The Tingley family is very disappointed to hear of the vandalism done to the sign in the former Ceal Tingley Park,” said Robin Wilkinson. “Vandalism is never acceptable and is very disrespectful to all.”
Anyone who has knowledge of this destructive act, witnessed the vandalism, or who has video of it taking place is urged to contact the Quesnel RCMP at 250-992-9211.
