By Staff
GRAFFITI Edith Thomas, who developed the Beechwood Ridge subdivision with her late husband, shows where the entrance was vandalized by spray paint. Two nearby traffic signs also were vandalized. Thomas said this is the third entrance marker that has been damaged in the past five years. Photo by Fredie Carmichael/The Meridian Star
By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
Aug. 14, 2003
Edith Thomas is frustrated.
Thomas, who developed the Beechwood Ridge subdivision in south Lauderdale County with her late husband, said Wednesday she's tired of replacing an entrance marker to the residential area.
The marker was vandalized Saturday night when someone used black spray paint to write the numbers "22," "35" and "20" on it the third time an entrance sign has been damaged in five years.
The vandal problem wasn't limited to the entrance marker. Two nearby traffic signs also were painted over both just a few feet away from the entrance on Valley Road.
Thomas said she spent about $1,000 replacing two wooden signs that originally marked the entrance to the subdivision. Those signs were destroyed in two separate incidents five years ago.
In both instances, the wooden sign was spray-painted and eventually torn down by vandals. Thomas said she decided three months ago to buy a 4,000-pound stone marker for the subdivision entrance.
And now it will have to be replaced.
Thomas and a group of homeowners who live in the subdivision have joined together to offer a $350-$500 cash reward to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest of the culprits.
Toni Myers, who along with her husband, Kenny, built one of the first homes in Beechwood Ridge five years ago, headed the effort to raise the money.
The incidents, including Saturday's vandalism, have been reported to the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department. Maj. Ward Calhoun, a spokesman for the sheriff's department, said his agency is investigating the case.
Meanwhile, Myers vowed to not give up.
Thomas agreed.