Normal Day At Pickering Silly Hall

Handyman Fights With City Over Free Repairs For Neighbours

Tuesday August 5, 2008

CityNews.ca Staff

Jon Tennett loves to tinker in his garage. It's not an uncommon pastime for an 81-year-old man, but what is unusual is the city's response.

Because Tennett fixes his neighbours' lawn mowers and other small machines, the City of Pickering has charged him with operating an illegal business - even though he's never charged a penny for his work.

"They could get a lot of revenue elsewhere than looking at an old 81-year-old man trying to keep his mind busy," he points out.

On the same street, a retired nurse is facing a similar problem. Janice Saroop has a lush garden, which she proudly shows off to visitors.

"This one here is a spider plant, and this is a mint," she explains.

But because she sells those plants three times a year, the city is threatening her, too - even though all her profits go to charity.

"I think it's totally ridiculous. It's not as though I'm doing this for making money. I think it's inappropriate really and I feel as though I'm being harassed," Saroop alleges.

But Pickering's commercial zoning bylaws do not allow any form of home business whatsoever - and the penalties are severe.

Tennett's case is currently before the courts and if he loses, he could be fined up to $25,000.

He's already refusing to pay.

"They ain't getting it," he fumes. "I'll do jail time."

He may not have to, if the public outcry is enough to change the minds at City Hall.

"Pretty embarrassed," describes the mood there, admits Pickering Regional Councillor Bill McLean.

"I'm going to bring this to council in mid-September, our first council meeting," McLean promised. He said he's hoping to change the bylaw.

"I think this is inequity...when incidents like this happen," he added.

The process could take months - plenty of time for Tennett to make a few more repairs.