Mount Forest business owner Jason Oakes, of Country Carpet and Furniture, would like to see all furniture auctions banned from Wellington North.
His letter to council outlined what he considers a disturbing trend of furniture auctions taking away from local establishments.
“I would like to discuss the furniture auctions which seem to be making an attempt to off-load their imported merchandise to north Wellington residents,” he wrote.
“I appreciate Mayor Mike [Broomhead] standing by his word and moving the auction to Arthur, although I still don’t agree with them coming in to our community to ‘dump’ the furniture here or in Arthur.”
He added, “I would like a discussion to the possibility of disallowing these sorts of auctions in our communities and to have a motion passed to ensure they don’t find a way to hold an auction here.
“As Mayor Mike has agreed to in the past, they offer minimal to no jobs in our community and they shouldn’t be allowed to take local jobs away from local residents who do offer benefits by living and paying taxes here.”
Councillor Ross Chaulk said, that Oakes “just may have a point.”
CAO/clerk Lori Heinbuch, told council the letter asks for a ban on all auctions in the township but “under the Municipal Act, that is not allowed.”
She said the municipality could, however, restrict such activities in municipal facilities if that is council’s wish.
“But to ban auctions within the township does not come under the jurisdiction of the Municipal Act,” she said.
Chaulk said he believes the request was to ban a specific type of auction.
Heinbuch said the same rules apply to any kind of auction.
While the municipality can restrict activities in its own jurisdiction, Heinbuch said the request is to ban any auctions.
Councillor Dan Yake asked if there is a difference between a public auction and a private residential auction.
Chaulk again stated his belief Oakes is only referring to furniture auctions.
Council requested the correspondence be forwarded to the recreation and culture committee and the administration committee.
Chaulk believes the issue is worth reviewing since someone has a concern with it.
