[fatlazyless]

Upon viewing the current plain white canopy above the ten white gas pumps, 99.44% of all viewere would agree that it is perfectly acceptable just the way it is. It is about as attractive as a gasoline canopy can be. Removing the thin orange line which ran the length of the canopy toned it down and lets it blend with the neighboring white residential buildings.

The Meredith Cumby is plain white. The Ashland Cumby is extremely ugly with a lot of bright orange and blue.

Removing all the american flags is a separate issue as they can probably be reinstalled without irritating the planning board.

Without a doubt, donating the $45,000 to local orgs like the Laconia Public Library, the Huot Vocational Tech, and the nearby Winnipesaukee Playhouse which is soon to move to Meredith would be much better than replacing a perfectly good and attractive canopy.

Compared to the three ugly moving electric signs down the hill at the intersection, the canopy as it now exists, is very attractive.

By a vote of 4-2, the planning board maybe just wants to punish Cumby, but doing that does not do anything beneficial for Laconia. What does Laconia gain by forcing Cumby to redo it? ....nothing!