A local businessman “frustrated” by dealing with the township says he will be yanking all his company’s financial support of Puslinch events.
Craig St. Germain, who owns the Tim Horton’s franchise in Aberfoyle, said on Sept. 3 he wants “to send a message loud and clear” to council that he is fed up.
“We have tried to serve this community without fanfare,” St. Germain told council. “It is with regret that we remove all support for township events.”
Tim Horton’s has extensive financial and in-kind commitments in Puslinch, including as the sole sponsor of the Puslinch youth soccer league, providing refreshments at the annual Santa Claus parade, and sponsoring various other events throughout the township.
St. Germain said the entrance to his store from Nicholas-Beaver Road is very dangerous, but when he tried to talk to the township’s Public Works Department about it, he was told they are tired of his complaints.
Councillor Dick Visser, sitting in for absent mayor Brad Whitcombe, said the location really is not set up to handle the truck traffic that it does. He told St. Germain he was “almost killed” because of all the truck drivers around the Tim Horton’s, who seem not to care about other vehicles.
St. Germain replied by saying it is not his job to monitor who parks on the side of the road around the store, nor is it his responsibility to enforce the laws. He said he has called the OPP on several occasions about the illegal parking.
“You’re in a trucking community,” St. Germain told council, pointing out there are several trucking companies in the township, not to mention numerous gravel pits. Besides, he added, he has seen many trucks belonging to the township parked illegally outside the Tim Horton’s in the winter.
Councillor Susan Fielding said she is not sure there is an easy solution to the issue.
“Tim Horton’s is an integral part of this community,” Fielding said. “I realize you have some beefs … but I hope you’ll reconsider [withdrawing financial support]. I think the wrong people would suffer.”
St. Germain also complained about being asked recently to remove one of his signs. He said the sign has been there for 12 years and all of a sudden he was told to take it down.
“It’s like smacking a fly with a baseball bat,” he said of the township’s actions on the sign matter.
He explained he would be willing to advertise community events on the sign – as he has done in the past – and put that agreement in writing.
It’s a shame that businesses that have done everything possible over the years to comply with the township’s bylaws are being punished because of the people that are taking advantage of the sign bylaw, he added.
Councillor Matthew Bulmer said he understands St. Germain’s frustration, but questioned the approach of punishing children for the acts of others.
“It’s always difficult to start a discussion with an ultimatum,” Bulmer said. “This is the first I’m hearing of this.” He added there are opportunities to make St. Germain’s business more appealing through the township’s sign bylaw, which should soon mirror that of the county’s.
Councillor Don McKay said if St. Germain has an issue with the road, the township will look into it, and if St. Germain has problems with staff, he can come to council or Clerk Brenda Law.
McKay noted a lot of feelings were aired at the meeting, which is good, and he agreed that it is not St. Germain’s job to monitor trucks in the area. But McKay asked St. Germain to reconsider withdrawing his support of local events.
“Please don’t give up on this community, because we certainly haven’t given up on you,” he said.
St. Germain seemed to back away from his hard stance as the meeting wore on.
“Sometimes you’ve got to clap your hands real loud to get some attention … It’s a wake-up call [for the township],” St. Germain said. “I think my message was heard loud and clear, and I will do my best to work for this community.”
Visser said council will talk to the Public Works Superintendent to see what can be done about the road, and will also inform Whitcombe of the situation when he returns.
That seemed agreeable to St. Germain.
The Advertiser attempted several times since the meeting to call St. Germain to see if he has reconsidered withdrawing financial support, but he did not return the calls.
