With all the very justified concern over our landfill mess, there has been somewhat of an oversight into a locally operated business basically being run out of town.
Cab operators in Innisfail will soon operate clean and mechanically-maintained metered cabs, with a communication system, and be available for service 24 hours a day, and 365 days a year.
What has been accomplished here?
Well, we have very likely established the highest paid chief taxi Inspector in the universe in Town Chief Administrative Officer Helen Dietz. This makes one wonder what the qualifications could possibly be for a chief taxi inspector, but that's another story.
Seriously, we have managed to choke the life out of an Innisfail-based, family-run business that has been more than faithful to the community, especially its seniors' population, for the last 14 years. Owner/operators Ray and Hazel Plato used common sense and accommodated clients by installing a flat fare rate, what clients suggested. They listened, and responded appropriately. Around here that counts for nothing, though it appears many council members have trouble with the concept.
Perhaps more importantly, this bylaw's results set a precedent that should have other Innisfail business owners uneasy. It paints a disgustingly clear picture of how, on a whim, council's business licence decisions can remove, at best, and restrict, at least, the manner in which your business operates. Should administration and council decide your business needs change, they legislate it. Basically, if they so decide, they can run you out of town.
It's 2 a.m., you're hungry, and the fridge contents are unappealing? If the Co-op grocery store or Kevin's nofrills were ordered by the town to remain open 24/7/365 as part of their business licences, we could taxi down for food, stopping along the way to get a haircut at the two barber shops or countless hair stylist stops in the town. They could have been legislated to remain open 24/7/365. No more flat rates for haircuts either. Put them all on meters at, say, 21.4 cents a hair.
Wonder how the animals at Coun. Doug Bos's Discovery Wildlife Park respond to a full moon? Legislate that it be open 24/7/365. Would plumbers, electricians or any service person take kindly to being forced to fix a leak or fridge at 3:45 a.m., or not be able to charge a flat rate for a house call? What's good for the goose!
Are we picking up on the absurdity here? At what point do we say that's bloody enough? Somebody, anybody, on council needs to show some intestinal fortitude and stop this stupidity seemingly being shoved down our throats by administration.
Town administration promised to "level the playing field for all service providers” a couple of months back. Can somebody please explain how this bylaw's contents are remotely level for the Platos despite 14 years of service?
The question is too rapidly becoming, does town administration work for council, or does council work for town administration? That's a very serious question with obviously serious consequences.
Yes, there were complaints about Innisfail taxi service before this bylaw. But administration and council overkilled the problem(s), with the unnecessary result being the death of a family business. That is just plain malicious, and extremely disturbing.
Who was being hurt, other than administration's gargantuan ego, by allowing Red Deer cabs to pick up Innisfail clients without one of the town's infamous business licences?
Bryan Goulding is an Innisfail resident and a former Central Alberta journalist.
