A Tangent

My last post went off in a direction I did not intend .

I started off to illustrate how town objectives are working at cross purposes.

We cannot claim, at one time, to be attempting to revive retail business in our downtown core and at the same time strive to freeze the area in a hundred year old time zone.

A Town does not develop anything private. Private enterprise does that.

We can spout all the right sounding cliches known to man. If investors are persuaded our sales line is not conducive to profitable venture, we can just suck it up.

At last night's committee meeting, Councillor Gaertner gave a perfect example of the thinking that keeps our town in a time capsule.

An application was made for a variance to the sign bylaw. A fee was collected. The plan was examined. Two gas stations on Yonge Street have come under one ownership. The signs needed to be co-ordinated. It meant the sign on one would extend halfway above the canopy that supports it.

Staff found no problem with the variance and recommended approval.

Councilor Gaertner however thought not.

." We are having a study done of the down town area" she said. "I don't believe we should approve anything until the study is completed and we see what the consultants recommend "

Fortunately, the Councillor's view was not shared. Approval was given.

It doesn't always work out that way. Councillor Gaertner's vote is usually with the majority.

I used to believe there was a limit to what a municipality can do to influence the ups and downs of retail business activity.

I don't think that any more.

I think there is no limit to the harm a Council can do when they are collectively convinced they need municipal consultants to advise them at every turn and there is nothing to learn from the people who make a successful business in the retail sector.