Wasaga Beach Sign Bylaw

There is a reason people and business owners do not want to speak out against political decisions. Please read to the end. It’s a long one.

I constantly hear people say that they fear commenting on social media, or writing to Council because they fear being attacked or having their business suffer.

Since I started this daily project, I have had no less than 6 businesses, who have reached out to me to provide information and validate my various concerns about town issues. But THEY say… “keep this between us, as I don’t want my business to suffer”.

I have also had two people say, “here is what I know, but don’t let this come back on me, because I am applying for a building permit and I don’t want to be affected negatively.”

At first it was just alarming, now it is actually shocking to see how effective and widespread this bullying and intimidation has become.

The pressures are not from our elected officials directly, but by their online bullies that support everything they do. They will deny directing any of this bullying, but the same people doing it are those that celebrated their social media efforts right after the election.

Last week, the chamber of commerce chose to post photos and some celebratory messages in that group. The nasty Council Support group was immediately jumping all over them for daring to post in “Wasaga Chronicle”. I laughed at first, but then I reflected on their actions and recognized that THESE are the divisive pressures forced on Wasaga Beach residents every day. I doubt very much that the Chamber of Commerce members or their board will rebut the bullying. Their members don’t want to be attacked further and I don’t blame them.

The same people attacking the chamber, berate me daily. Despite never meeting the lady who recently complained about the poop tents on the beach, these same bullies are saying I am behind her post and they have all rallied to attack her and protect their Mayor. It’s bizarre. We have never met!

Shame on you Brian Smith for not speaking out against this constant bullying. You signed up for a job that involves public criticism. Show you are listening and perhaps the criticism will diminish.

But the online attacks are trivial compared to what a Council can do to a resident or a local business. That is why many won’t say a word.

Believe me, I understand the concerns of business owners. I honestly believe based on personal experience, your business will be affected if you speak out against this Council.

As you all know, my wife and I own Grandmas Beach Treats. We have asked the town (in writing) to make a public statement that we did not complain to the By-law department just prior to the last election about our neighbours “lit up sign”. (We actually think the sign looks cool.) This false rumour that we had lodged a complaint continues today. It is talked about, mostly by the Mayors most staunch supporters and it is NOT a true story. But our request for the Town to clarify that we did not complain is also ignored.

Why? Well, it might have something to do with these discussion posts I create daily. The content is often critical of MAJOR decisions. Since I started posting these, several things have happened. Like many in town, I have had my ability to view or comment on the towns Facebook Page blocked.

The town no longer does business with us and we can only assume it is due to our political opposition to many of their actions.

Despite this, we continue to donate items when we are allowed to. Our gift baskets are no longer requested for town events, but we continue to support our community directly in any way we can through many private donations, team sponsorships and daily giveaways. We will continue to do so regardless of the measures NOW being taken by the town.

As a matter of principle, I continue to speak out against things I see as wrong, despite any financial losses this has caused or will cause.

I encourage everyone to read all clauses in the new sign bylaw. If you see businesses (big or small) that are not being held to exactly the same standards as others, then they are truly wielding their bylaws in an inappropriate manner.

The soon to be forced changes to our business will cost us THOUSANDS of dollars, but it is important for us to continue doing what’s right no matter what the cost.

You will notice in the agenda for the upcoming “Special Council Meeting” that there are some planned changes to the sign bylaw. These changes are in part because the existing bylaw is poorly written. (Sylvia opposed this bylaw when it was enacted.) The few modifications are a poorly thrown together attempt to make it look like Council is improving it. It is a lazy, irresponsible approach. A comprehensive review with major modifications is required!

We had a visit several weeks ago from the By-law department regarding all signage on our property at 1014 Mosley Street.

Several days earlier, I had just arrived to drop off Sylvia’s lunch when I noticed a By-Law officer across the street trying to discreetly take photos of our property. I approached him and told him he was welcome to come right over onto the property. He explained that he had been asked to take photos of our signs and the By-Law Supervisor would be in touch.

This petty, attack against our signage goes back to the last time Brian Smith was the Mayor. At that time an anonymous complaint about the signage on our business caused a detailed investigation and assessment of the sign bylaw. They reviewed our signage and any compliance issues. The By-Law Supervisor/ Department Head actually measured every wall, every window, every sign (to the inch) on our property and building.

At that time, we removed a few temporary banners that adorned the railing of our second floor, but besides that… we were told we were in compliance. In fact, we were told we could add additional signage if we needed to.

Ok…. So that “anonymous” attack ended with a couple of temporary vinyl banners being removed. No problem… we moved on.

So, this July, the big visit happened. Several issues were pointed out to us (which we found ludicrous). We were told not to do anything at that time as the clampdown town wide would happen on the 29th.

Despite saying this verbally, after they left, we noticed a check list left behind had ALL of the items discussed, listed and it appeared to be a written order to act.

So, an email rapidly followed. It was confirmed we were to disregard the listed items until a further date.

Then a short time later, we did receive a demand to come into compliance with the current by-law. Bear in mind, the thousands spent on existing signs (by us and we assume every other business in town) did not matter. Why? We have been told that there is no grandfathering clause for businesses who were in compliance prior to the new bylaw.

This means that no matter what rules were in place when you started and built your business, all businesses will now have to comply with the new restrictive bylaw.

Sylvia and I have always attempted to comply with bylaws for obvious reasons. We will certainly comply again this time. It is anticipated this will cost us between $10,000.00- $20,000.00 to complete. But… that is the cost of doing business, especially if you want to speak out politically in Wasaga Beach.

Our fear is actually that all other businesses in town WILL be forced to comply as well. Those who can afford lawyers and make variance applications might be just fine, but others will be crippled by the enforcement efforts. There are sections of the by-law that do not affect Grandmas Beach Treats that will have a significant adverse effect on many other businesses. For instance, signs cannot be on roofs. Signs must ONLY be for the business you operate. You must take your A-Frame signs in nightly. The changes are going to be costly to businesses.

Of course, the financial implications section of the by-law say there will be minimal costs, but it says there is the possibility of increased town income from fines.

WOW… before you make light of their stance that income from fines may be a benefit, remember this. They have also modified the way they fine us all now. There is no possible court date. All fines are simply an administrative penalty (with no warning required) and if you don’t pay it, they will add it to your taxes. So, although we actually disagree with these actions we will comply with their expensive orders. If we don’t, they could hire a contractor to remove any sign’s ordered removed and just add that contractors bill to our taxes.

To be fair… I truly don’t believe all businesses will be forced to comply. I suspect compliance will be VERY targeted and they will continue to claim this is only because it is complaint driven.

We will remove all signs when ordered. We will be sure to let all of our customers across Canada, know that the new look at Grandmas Beach Treats will be by order of our Council.

I have been told that there has also been discussion about trying to have us remove Buttercup, and HoneyBear, our two concrete mascots.

The original order was rescinded by email, but we were told to continue planning the removal after the changes to the by-law are in place.(as of the 29th of July.) We await that written order.

I encourage everyone to read the current sign bylaw, have a look around and provide Council written suggestions as to what sections to scrap, what sections to change and what sections to bolster. In thinking through this, you will soon understand why some municipal sign bylaws are more like a book.

I don’t know the answer for business owners who don’t like the current actions of Council and fear stepping up, except to say I understand.

It’s costly to have the Town itself boycott your business. But the Councils online support teams will also join in and create an unofficial boycott. Realistically, for some of the businesses in Wasaga Beach, they CANNOT afford to lose those these clients. I get it!

If we do not take action to shut this “attack” behaviour down, the very social fabric that holds a community together will simply waste away.

If we want a sterile community with defined sign sizes, fonts and designs, then ask yourself, where does this end.

There are currently some interesting decisions regarding sign bylaws being made by authority as high as the Supreme Court of Canada. I’m sure our Council is completely informed regarding these important case law decisions.