Bylaw officers crack down on charity hot dog stand
Bylaw officers crack down on charity hot dog stand
After being featured for their fundraising efforts, Watt's Weiners ordered to stop operating.
Jules and Timothy Watts have been very popular this summer. The West Nipissing couple started a hot dog stand earlier this year and have been a hit for many looking for scarce food options when out at the beach. Under the name Watt’s Wieners, they have a pretty simple business plan offering kid’s dogs, jumbo dogs and sausages at three basic price points while donating part of their proceeds to a worthy cause.
They have set up for 3 weekends so far this year at the Lac Clair beach in Field and have received an extremely positive response from the community. Most beach goers reminisce to a time when there was always food options at the beach. Many requested the couple set up more often.
Jules Watt did her research and wanted to make sure she was following the law. She has been in contact with the local health unit and satisfied all the health requirements for selling food. And because this is their first year, they were hoping to avoid purchasing an expensive food licence to operate. According to the representative they spoke to at the health unit, food vendors who operate less than 14 days per year are exempt from getting a licence.
While following the health unit rules, the Watts did not take into account the extensive municipal bylaws that also govern business operations locally.
West Nipissing has on the books a bylaw that restricts “hawkers and peddlers”. It requires anyone selling or displaying any goods to have a licence to do so. This bylaw applies to all locations within the municipality. The cost for such a licence is $250 for three days or $1,000 per year.
As most occasional vendors in town will attest, this bylaw is rarely enforced. The dozens of vendors that attend the various farmers’ markets around town seldom have such a licence. However this past week, the Watts were targeted.
In a rare move bylaw officers were present in Field on Friday to order the Watts to cease their business ahead of the long weekend.
City cracks down after charity work is recognized
Obviously, Jules and Timothy were upset about the sudden selective enforcement of this bylaw. But what is most difficult to accept is what likely triggered this investigation.
Last week, the couple was featured by local journalists. Their story of overcoming many obstacles including addiction and homelessness of their own to finally set up this hot dog stand and help the homeless was widely read in a number of regional newspapers. The Watts are not only known for serving hungry swimmers on weekends. They have also become renowned for their “Free Hot Dogs for the Homeless” campaigns where they use some of their proceeds to feed those in need. Last month, the couple gave away over 100 meals at an event hosted by an addiction and pain clinic.
Community steps up to help
After sharing her ordeal on social media, Jules has received an overwhelming response from the community. Her post has been shared dozens of times and hundreds of local residents have commented. The vast majority upset with the municipality for cracking down in such a fashion.
One business owner, Yan Ouellet who operates 3Xpertise Tree Removal stepped up to help a fellow business owner. Yan reached out to Jules and offered to pay the questionable $250 registration fee the city is requesting. Jules has also started a gofundme page to try and generate some more support and get them past the initial costs of setting up their popular hot dog stand.
While the couple is trying to navigate the licence requirements, they have an excess supply of food that they were not able to sell this past weekend. So they have decided to set up their hot dog stand on August 10th once again at Lac Clair beach.
But this time, there will be no selling. All items will be free and patrons can donate any amount they wish.
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As I mentioned in a comment in a previous post, excessive regulation invites selective enforcement, especially where there is a questionable conscience among the powers that be. In this case, it is strange that the bylaw officers would lower the boom on such a benign and innocent enterprise. I strongly suspect that the orders came from "higher up". From past reports it seems as though the majority of our municipal council has it in for the homeless.
It reminds me of a street fighter mentality - put the boots to somebody who is down so they can't get up again but just have to crawl away and not bother you with their mere presence any more. It's a sad reflection on our community in so many ways.
One final note, for those who claim a religious affiliation, Matthew 25:40 comes to mind: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
I went through the same BS in 2015! I had to operate out of a rental house trailer like they use on mining site because my new building wasn’t finished. The trailer was also private property. The town, notably the mayor,did everything to shut me down. But they didn’t succeed. I got 4 councillors on my side and called a vote and won. The mayor didn’t even want to allocate me a peddlers license. Was I was told she had a bias in favour of ASM, my competitor. But after my win, i was able to obtain one and operate. Was 500$ at the time. Imo, the vendor should be subject to a pedders permit. Could set a precedent that could cause problems in the future.