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Every year the Jaworski family host a weekend of barbecue and lectures. People come from all around the world to hang out in their backyard and discuss and celebrate the principle of freedom. The Jaworskis have cause to know the importance of freedom, they fled communism to find liberty here in Canada. So in memory of their former oppression they help their son host the aptly named Liberty Summer Seminar.
As many of you already know the Jaworski family is being fined $50 000 for hosting the Liberty Summer Seminar. The by-law official is accusing them of holding a commercial conference center outside of the permitted zone. The idea that LSS is a commercial event is absurd. Considering the caliber of speakers that they attract and the relatively low cost of attending, I doubt they have ever made a profit.
So to bankrupt these honest and hard working people (I have met them several times) on such a flimsy claim that the LSS is somehow commercial is arbitrary and cruel. The bylaw officer that charged the family did not even have the courtesy to talk to either of the Jaworski parents or even one of the event’s organizers.
The local mayor suggested that the Jaworskis “[…] have a discussion with the bylaw officer, sort of like beg for forgiveness, say ‘I didn’t realize’. Or they can work it out with lawyers.” If the bylaw officer was not willing to talk to them before he charged them, why would he behave reasonably now? Also what kind of free society gives people the choice between begging some petty official to forgive them for using their own land to host a barbecue and going bankrupt?
The mayor is trying to stay out of the incident, and I agree with the general principle that politicians should not interfere with legal proceedings. But this is such a clear case of the misuse of bylaws. No reasonable person would think that bankruptcy is an appropriate punishment for hosting a barbecue. I hope that the mayor takes a moment to reconsider not only his position but what exactly his duty is to his constituents.
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5 comments:
Out of control bureaucrats and cowardly politicians. Two good reasons to stay as far away from Clarington as possible. I will do my best to spread the word.
Sorry, but they don't have my sympathy. Every municipality has zoning by-laws which prohibit commercial activity in certain areas. The fact that they 'didn't make a profit' doesn't change anything; if you charge admission to attend an event, it IS a commercial activity, whether you made money, lost money or broke even. This family decided to ignore the by-law and are now crying for sympathy.
Barbara - charging admission does not automatically make something a commercial event. It can be a family reunion, a church picnic - it's merely a recognition that there are costs involved in a given event and that I as an attendee need to be aware of same and pitch in to pay for them.
Barbara,
I concur with Frances' statement. Also you would have to admit that even if they are guilty of doing something inappropriate $50 000 is completely out of proportion to what they did. Holding one barbecue a year, and charging people for the cost of that barbecue, does not so horrible that these people deserve bankruptcy.
I have to go with Hugh on this one. The punishment should fit the "crime". Even if you're a staunch supporter of zoning by-laws, $50k seems a bit steep.
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