Family and friends of the late Michael Hertz are devastated after a walking trail sign that was put up shortly before his death was stolen earlier this summer.
Susan Anholt, secretary-treasurer of Kenaston and District Chamber of Commerce, said the sunset “Mick’s Way” Bonnington Springs Walking Trail sign was taken from its spot at the east end of the trail sometime between the middle of June and the beginning of July. She said the sign has tremendous value to the community as it celebrates the life of one of their most-loved residents.
“Mick Hertz was just an incredibly popular school teacher and he wanted the walking trail, so just as a member of the village he went to the village council and made a proposal for it, laid out the route and got permission,” said Anholt, noting Hertz was battling prostate cancer at the time. “I had the honour of helping him and lots of days when we were working on this he was so sick from (chemotherapy) and whatever else they were doing to him, but he kept on trucking.
“The final bit he was too ill to complete it, but we got the sign up as quickly as we could and had a picture taken of him and myself when the signs were up. He passed away after that.”
Anholt said a couple ladies walking the trail on July 4 first discovered the sunset sign was missing. She said the sunrise sign at the west end of the park is still there and nothing else appeared to be touched.
“These are big redwood signs and they are beautiful,” she said, adding each sign is worth around $700. “For whatever reason someone thought they needed it more than we did, so that’s sad. I suspect someone with a friend named Mick just thought ‘oh, this is cute. We’ll just take it to our buddy Mick.’ That’s my guess because what really would you want this for.”
Regan Firby, the daughter of Michael Hertz, said her father decided to propose a walking trail for Kenaston because it would give the community a place to enjoy the beauty of the village. She said they would like the sunset sign returned for the principle of it and not the cost of putting up a replacement.
“It’s a man who put a lot of hard work into this,” said Firby. “When the trail was built my dad was sick, so he was out there helping and it’s kind of heartbreaking that somebody would take it. I hope the person that took it doesn’t understand the significance of it. That would be extra sad.”
Anholt said the village has not reported the theft to the RCMP, but are trying to raise awareness about the sign and gain any information on its whereabouts through other means such as a facebook page. She said if anyone has any information on the missing sign to please contact the Kenaston and District Chamber of Commerce or the Village Office.