Councillor fires back in Corktown patio dispute

A columnist opines, and politicians' actions are a popular topic. Do we deserve the heat? Sure. Sometimes. So, if you are an elected official and carefully crafted critiques of your styles or stances make you sensitive, then your calling's in the wrong public service. So, smile, shake your head and move on, right? Almost. Margaret Shkimbas column entitled Something Stinks in Corktown," deserves that rare retort. Unfortunately.

I have a special fondness for the Corktown Tavern and no diabolical plan to destroy this heritage corner bar as implied. Google my political record of successful motions supporting restaurants, pubs, bars, entertainment districts, heritage, culture and all things arts and music in this city and Margaret's accusatorial commentary cries out contradiction and creates a stink all its own.

Writes Margaret: I emailed Coun. Farr on four separate occasions to find out more information ... He responded only to my second email and did not provide any information or answer my questions."

Margaret resent an email in March saying that she, .. received a request from Jim Perdikoulias of The Corktown Pub regarding his patio license ... he just needs an encroachment approval but there seems to be a hang up with getting one ... Can you help me, and Jim, understand what the delay is in gaining the patio licence?"

This was my answer:

You have asked if I can help you and Jim (on your cc) understanding the delay in gaining a patio licence.'

... You referenced the encroachment and you have Jim on the cc and Jim is aware that there are some (not all) residents living adjacent to the Corktown pub property who wish not for the City to grant an encroachment ... This is documented, and staff have their documented disapproval. As do I.

Did Jim (cc) not share this with you prior to you sending this appeal? ... ... I hope that should you choose to open this you might consider to include ... opposition from people who live adjacent to the property that you were not made aware of as the reason for the encroachment denial. Until now ... ... This was a tough one for me when the patio was originally denied by council and ultimately lost on appeal at the board.

Not every decision is easy and as an elected official each issue has its own set of variables."

So, Margaret, was it fair to have published that I did not answer you? Part of my answer was that each issue has its own set of variables." Residents who live earshot of the pub have shared in writing opposition to a patio. Seven years ago. And more recently.

They mostly fear a reduction in peaceful enjoyment of their neighbourhood day and night. The Corktown Tavern is an oddity - there are no other pubs surrounded by residential homes on residential streets abutting two parks and on a major walking trail to the school one block down. Among the residents are shift-workers, moms and dads and children, singles, seniors and vulnerable. In my answer I asked that you consider including these people in your op-ed. You did not, instead you wrote: The issue is threatening to divide the community and Coun. Farr has gone AWOL ... ... the responsibility of councillors to represent all their constituents fairly, not just the ones that donate to their campaigns, vote for them, or put a sign on their lawn at election time."

Margaret, it's clear you are a little late to the patio party. If I was looking for supporters out of this issue, VOTE for Jay, he'll put a patio at Corktown Tavern" would have been a campaign slogan. I have hardly been AWOL and know full well that there's a much larger majority of outdoor patio supporters than not. They just don't live within earshot, but here is my opinion, most of them would not support a day and night patio out front their own homes.

You also shared: Out of the over 600 variances applied for in Ward 2 since 2014, this is the only one that Coun. Farr has denied." No mention that only a few of those 600 were patio encroachments and none were in a residential neighbourhood. By the way, for someone you say isn't representing all their constituents fairly" I'd say always supporting their variances contradicts that. Again, my opinion.

Maybe include some nearby residents' voices and share their stories in a followup column, Margaret? As you say, all opinions should be heard" and your published advocacy for the bar owner did raise a stink with them; as you have since heard them say. Now those stories would be a riveting read. Just my opinion.

Jason Farr is Hamilton councillor for Ward 2.