There is one year until the merged counties are to be separated. Much must be decided by 1 January 2024: Distribution of debts, income and savings, properties and employees. But so far they have not arrived in Vestfold and Telemark. – We are mostly discussing Telemark’s new logo right now, says Thorleif Fluer Vikre from FRP in Telemark. Thorleif Fluer Vikre (Frp). Photo: Anne Lognvik / news 1,526 new signs were put up when Vestfold and Telemark were merged in 2019. Now it’s “on again”. Point or bow? Shape, color and font are the three F’s that determine how expensive it will be. Old symbols, but new shape, color and font are the cheapest. Both of the old county arms ended in a point. That tip could cost the divided counties many millions. In fact, the price tag could, in the worst case, be 10 percent of the total cost of dividing the county. The county coat of arms for the merged Vestfold and Telemark has a round bottom. Photo: Vestfold and Telemark county council The reason is that the merged county coat of arms has a round bottom. Thus, all suspensions are also made for a round sign. The font on the signs was also new in 2019. You save a lot by not changing it. Runar Bekkhus is responsible for new and correct signs after the county division. Photo: Vegard Lilleås / news Councilor Runar Bekkhus in Vestfold and Telemark County says that the cheapest is to keep the new, round arch. Then they don’t have to change the entire suspension and the sign, and they can just stick on a new county coat of arms. The price difference is large. – The cheapest will cost NOK 13 million, estimates Bekkhus. If you choose a pointed shape and a different font, it will be twice as expensive. County divorces can cost Norway NOK 700 million. Identity and emotions Buildings, road signs, websites, documents and papers, envelopes and cars. There is a lot that needs a new logo. One of many places where the county coat of arms for Vestfold and Telemark must be scrapped and replaced with a new badge. Photo: Lars Tore Endresen / news – We are required to be sober, so there will still be places where you can find the Vestfold and Telemark logo, says Bekkhus. The old ones from the 70s with a tip are still out there. On slightly more secluded signs in the archipelago, for example. He notices that both employees and politicians have feelings related to the discussion about the logo. Many people ask where the old signs from before the merger have gone. They were thrown away and recovered, so now only the signs that have been given away, bought or stolen are out there. Disagree Politicians from Vestfold have already agreed that they are going for the cheapest and fastest solution. And although it is about both identity and sustainability in the form of reuse, it is undoubtedly the economy that weighs the heaviest. That’s what Mette Kalve (Ap) says, head of the main committee for Vestfold. Mette Kalve (Ap) has led the work to prepare the county split. Photo: John-Andre Samuelsen / news She has led the work on preparing the county split. – There are many signs that need to be replaced. This is a big job. Nevertheless, this is a sober line and the most reasonable way to do it, she says to news. The politicians in Telemark have not decided. Someone wants the ax back. Others want to keep the county coat of arms from Vestfold and Telemark. The one with Viking ships and rose paint. But is it legal? – We are checking now, says adviser Bekkhus in the county council. He says that it can cause confusion that the same logo represents two different counties. Before the election in September, it must be clear. New county councils will then be elected for two counties. With the correct logo on the sheets.
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