Injunction gives water back to motel owner STEPHEN BRUN Transcontinental Media
SUMMERSIDE — City motel owner Don Gaudet has his water service back — at least for 10 days.
The owner of Baker’s Lighthouse Motel on Water Street won an injunction in Supreme Court in Summerside on Friday that will temporarily force the city to reconnect the motel’s water services.
The city cut off Gaudet’s water on Tuesday, Sept. 23, and also threatened to cut off electrical services because of his refusal to pay the $350 he owes for a hotel room levy.
“I was pleased with the ruling,” said Gaudet after his court appearance.
“I’m only trying to stand up for what’s right — the city shouldn’t hold it over you. This is sending the wrong message, I think. (The city is saying), ‘If you don’t listen, we’re going to cut this off’.”
The matter was adjourned until Monday, Oct. 6, to give the city more time to prepare its case. The motion was only filed Thursday at 4 p.m.
The city introduced the two per cent hotel room levy this year so it could pool money that would be earmarked for drawing festivals and events into the city. Charlottetown has a similar tax in place, along with several cities in the U.S.
Jeff Cormier, who represented Gaudet, argued that the city shouldn’t withhold services to punish his client’s non-payment of the hotel levy because there was no penalty outlined in the by-law.
The cost to reconnect the water is about $40.
Justice Benjamin Taylor suggested Gaudet pay the $350 he owes the city, then fight the matter in court at a later date.
Gaudet wouldn’t comment on whether he would consider paying the money he owes the city.
“I’m hoping between the city and the motels, maybe we can come up with some sort of way to clear all this up,” he said.
“I think somebody at city hall got on a power trip and pushed me into a corner and that’s not the way you do business. I let it go this far, and I’m not sorry I did.”
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Chelle from NS & PI writes: WHY, Justice Benjamin Taylor, should Don Gaudet pay the $350 the-is tiny city dictates he owes, then fight the matter in court at a later date.
Does this tiny City(Town's) tiny Municipal politicians think they are governing a Dicatorship OR a Democratic l(ow level) government?
Both PEI and NS need more tax-paying citizens like Don Gaudet to stand-up for their Rights. AND We need more citizens to grow a backbone to support the Don Gaudet's of PEI.
It Is only The Right Thing To Do.
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hkl;.,mnn from ont writes: pay your taxes like everyone else
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Ivan from PEI writes: So let me get this straight: this guy owes the city money and wonders why the city is refusing to offer him services.
Why do people think his refusal is acceptable behaviour? Change the name 'city' to that of any business and people would have no problem with services being withheld.
If you disagree, try this with a dry cleaner, grocery store, or gas station - let's see how far you get.
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