Ad gripe parks missing girls poster
The Ministry of Transportation ordered Northland Chrysler Jeep Dodge to remove a vehicle promoting the search for missing Vanderhoof woman Madison Scott from the comer of Highway 16 and Highway 97 last week after it received complaints about it being used to promote the dealership.
Dealership owner Brent Marshall said the SUV had been a support vehicle for the Cops For Cancer-Tour de North.
Friends of the Scott family requested the vehicle be painted with a sign requesting information from the public regarding Scott’s disappearance.
After the tour the vehicle was parked – with Ministry of Transportation permission – on the ministry right-of-way near the intersection.
‘We had to remove the vehicle after two days. They had had too many complaints about the vehicle.” Marshall said. “It’s really sad that someone would complain about it. We just want to bring awareness to the search for Madison.”
Scott, 20 went missing on May 28 from a campsite at Hogsback Lake were she was attending a party.
The vehicle was parked on the boulevard on Tuesday and Wednesday last week, he said “We went out of our way to park it facing into the trees to hide the logo. I can’t believe someone would complain about it. Marshall said. ‘We have it up on the ramps at our lot right now. I’m hoping we’ll find places to park it where people won’t complain about it.”
Northland plans to have a second vehicle painted with a larger sign and picture of Scott on it, he added.
Ministry of Transportation spokesperson Jeff Knight said the ministty gave permission for the vehicle to be parked on the right of- way – as long as there weren’t complaints about it.
‘”The bottom line is there were complaints.” Knight said. “There was advertising on the vehicle and I understand that was the thrust of the complaints.”
Knight didn’t specify how many complaints were made, nor the source of the complaints, Community groups can contact the Ministry of Transportation to post signs on ministry right of way’s
.
Scott family friend Theresa Philips said if Northland’s competitors are upset about the vehicle being
on display they are welcome to donate vehicles from their lots as well “I think it’s ridiculous to complain about it.” Philips said. ”If the other dealerships suddenly feel ashamed of complaining, they can spend the money to paint up their own vehicles and can rotate them.”
The intersection of Highway 16 and Highway 97 is a high-profile spot, which was an ideal location for for the vehiclede to be parked. she said.
“You’re getting vehicles corning from all points,” Philips said.
Dealerships respond
Gustalfson’s Kia manager Dylan Gustafson said he planned to file a complaint about the vehicle, but hadn’t made the call before it was removed. “I definitely didn’t approve of it being there” Gustafson said.
Honda North manager Dan Walls said he didn’t see the vehicle, but wouldn’t have complained, even if it had a price tag and lights on it.” “If it’s supporting finding someone who is missing, we’re all for it, Walls said. “It wouldn’t be anyone from here, none of our guys are activist’s like that.”
Spokespeople for Northern Toyota and Prince George Motors said they didn’t believe anyone from their organizations complained about the vehicle.
A spokesperson for Wood Wheaton Supercentre declined to comment.
Spokespeople for Hub City Motors, 5th and Carney Auto Sales Suburu could not be reached as of press time. Northland Hyundai and Northland Nissan are both owned by the same group which operates Northland Chrysler Jeep Dodge.
Anyone with information about Scott’s disappearance is asked to call the Vanderhoof RCMP at (250) 567-2222. Or if you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1·800·222·TIPS. CrimeStoppers offers additional rewards for helpful information.
From the Prince George Citizen: