By Pepper Parr
June 3, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
You remember Jennifer don’t you? The lady with the Fish and Chip Shop on Guelph Line – the one who got busted for putting a sign out by the road side to attract traffic?
The one who got a visit from the Mayor who dropped by asking how he could help and then never following up.
Jennifer Soukup told the Gazette earlier this week that she was told by someone in the bylaw office that she would get a chance to talk about the by law when it is next reviewed – in 18 months – that’s what she was told.
She wasn’t going to wait.
She had been fined $180 for putting the sign out – but she didn’t have to pay it – next time they would enforce the penalty.
She then did her homework and learned that she was allowed to put a sign out but only for a very specific amount of time – 45 days in each year and never for more than two weeks at a time.
It will cost her $250 to rent the sign – and no one is going to miss that sign.
There is a $90 fee to put the sign out – that’s included in the in the $250
What we are seeing is a young, energetic innovative entrepreneur who wants to run a successful and profitable business.
As I watched her serve her customers I notices that the price for the take out came in at around the $20 range. When I have lunch, which I do often, the bill comes in at around $12.
$750 to keep this sign up for 45 days – is it worth it?
Jennifer has to sell a lot of meals – assuming average price of $15 dollars – she is going to have to sell 50 meals and give every penny to the sign company to pay for the sign that she can put up for a total of 45 days.
Does this mean every retailer should be able to put out whatever they want in the way of signs? No, the public isn’t going to put up with that.
But there has to be an easier way to let merchants advertise and let their clients know where they are – for more than 45 days of the year.
Meanwhile Soukup is doing fine – she just wants to ensure that the money she spends promote her business and doesn’t line the city’s coffers.
Jennifer – John Taylor is a very reasonable councilor, be assured he will get back to you.
The downtown is like the wild west, a sign free for all most days and a sea of advertising every weekend. Perhaps their ward councilor could explain how it’s done.
You may also want to point out the signs on Fairview, I just got home and passed at least a dozen on the way.
This City should stop the double standard with sandwich boards. The bylaw person could make their yearly salary within 2 blocks of City hall.
Talk about trashy looking downtown, the multimillion dollar developers are the worst, but of course our Councilors won’t disturb their cash cow relection contributors.
what about signs that are attached to city fences permamnently such as STARTING POINT Church at Guelph line and Upper Middle Rd as well as other locations around our city how do I get them removed by by-law people any suggestions.
$180 fine to put a sandwich board out !!!
At that rate the city can afford bylaw enforcement all weekend long.
Have bylaw issue fines for every sign out on any weekend, it will pay the costs and then some.
My last walk Downtown I had to avoid several signs on the sidewalk, one shop placed theirs, yes more that one, in a manner that cause me to stop and let oncoming walkers pass, not enough room on the sidewalk for both of us. The shop did have a great smell as I passed.