0
Notice of motion to drop charges against Duncan's
19 October 2010
I made a notice of motion, at last night's council meeting, to drop the charges recently laid against Duncan's Restaurant for erecting an illegal patio on the Hurontario Street sidewalk. It was, of course, beside the building, not curbside.
Since a new council will likely change this bylaw very soon after getting inaugurated, it seems inappropriate to pursue charges. At the all-candidates' meetings, the great majority of candidates agreed to change the bylaw if elected. I don't think there's any doubt that will happen.
Sean's action was, as I see it, an act of political theatre; an attempt to keep the patio issue in the forefront of voters' minds in the last few weeks before the election. It was his way of expressing himself and his frustrations over the bylaw, the current council and the loss of considerable business this summer due to the unpopular bylaw.
And it worked. He got the media play and voters got the message.
Our bylaw department had to enforce the law, but for a two-day infraction, we really don't need to pursue it further than having it dismantled. Sean and his fellow restaurant owners have lost enough money already this summer through council's actions, we should not compound his losses with a fine. There's no need to be punitive. That just makes the town look a bully. After all, no one was hurt by this small protest of his.
Let's drop the charges and move on.
Since a new council will likely change this bylaw very soon after getting inaugurated, it seems inappropriate to pursue charges. At the all-candidates' meetings, the great majority of candidates agreed to change the bylaw if elected. I don't think there's any doubt that will happen.
Sean's action was, as I see it, an act of political theatre; an attempt to keep the patio issue in the forefront of voters' minds in the last few weeks before the election. It was his way of expressing himself and his frustrations over the bylaw, the current council and the loss of considerable business this summer due to the unpopular bylaw.
And it worked. He got the media play and voters got the message.
Our bylaw department had to enforce the law, but for a two-day infraction, we really don't need to pursue it further than having it dismantled. Sean and his fellow restaurant owners have lost enough money already this summer through council's actions, we should not compound his losses with a fine. There's no need to be punitive. That just makes the town look a bully. After all, no one was hurt by this small protest of his.
Let's drop the charges and move on.
