City installs barriers to downtown begging
City manager says installation of big waste bins on Paul Braun’s turf about more than fight with panhandler
An ongoing feud between the City of Penticton and Paul Braun boiled over again Tuesday, when two large waste bins were placed in the spot where he usually panhandles.
“It’s passive-aggressive, childish behaviour. It’s just ridiculous,” said local lawyer Paul Varga, who’s defending Braun against eight charges under the Good Neighbour Bylaw.
“This is just another example of the city treating Mr. Braun differently than everybody else, targeting him and not dealing with real issues that face society.”
Braun is alleged to have violated the bylaw last year by causing an obstruction of the breezeway in the 200 block of Main Street. The matter is set for a three-day trial in September in provincial court.
Undeterred by the bins, Braun was back at the location Tuesday and told The Herald the city “even went so far as to bolt them down,” demonstrating the cans — one of which is now obstructing the breezeway — can’t be easily moved, and pointing out the solar panels for their trash compactors are now sitting in shade.
City manager Peter Weeber said the move was not targeted at Braun specifically, but rather the dozen or so people who frequent the spot, adding there is a “silent majority” of business owners and an “overwhelming swell of concern” to rid the downtown area of nefarious acts.
In response, he continued, the city on Monday adjusted its bylaw officers’ schedules so they’re on duty later into the evening to help businesses, which already contend with extreme weather impacts on the economy, “challenging behaviours” and trying to make a living in the tourism season.
“I think that’s what is being missed in the discussion. Somehow it’s about one guy who has been sitting in the same spot for four years. I have no issue with Mr. Braun. I was talking to him yesterday, in fact, but I have the responsibility to represent the rights of the entire city,” Weeber said.
“Somehow we’re discounting the rights of businesses and residents over some inappropriate behaviour. That’s the essence of this issue.”
An environmental design report conducted by the RCMP is going to be released next week, which the city intends to implement, Weeber said.
The battle between Braun and the city last heated up two weeks ago, when the city released details of a plea deal if offered Braun — despite the city’s lawyer previously chastising Varga for allegedly attempting to try the case in the court of public opinion.
“We have to hold our position sometimes,” said Weeber.
“God, I’ve tried to negotiate our way out of this situation every which way I can possibly think of, including using my own money. But I’ve failed, so here we are in court.”