Jill Goodson knew she risked getting a ticket, but she was ready for an argument.
Last week, she set up her red shoe-shine kit, her tiny black chair and a taller chair for customers in the 700 -block of Fort St. A paper sign taped to the chairB次元官网网址檚 legs read B次元官网网址淛illB次元官网网址檚 Jazzed-Up Shoes; shoe shine by donation.B次元官网网址�
Shoe shiners used to line Broad Street 50 years ago, she said. B次元官网网址淚t kind of went out of fashion a bit, so IB次元官网网址檓 trying to revive what was very historical in Victoria, with a modern twist.B次元官网网址�
The city, however, isnB次元官网网址檛 ready for such a revival.
On June 8, the bylaw department formally denied her request for a buskerB次元官网网址檚 licence. Goodson, however, isnB次元官网网址檛 giving up.
The public supports me, she insisted from B次元官网网址渉er spotB次元官网网址� at the mid-block crosswalk near Vancity last Thursday afternoon. Her protest quickly evolved into a spontaneous, public debate.
Shortly after 2 p.m., bylaw officers arrived on scene.
A soft-spoken officer named John Kitson assured Goodson that he wouldnB次元官网网址檛 write her a ticket B次元官网网址� at least not this time.
Instead, he upped his previous verbal warning with a written warning.
B次元官网网址淚 have to politely ask you to pack up and leave,B次元官网网址� he told her.
Goodson asked to stay. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a form of protest,B次元官网网址� she argued.
Kitson refused, but the exchange was respectful.
B次元官网网址淛ohn has got to know me almost on a personal level,B次元官网网址� Goodson explained, after agreeing to pack up.
The small crowd that gathered, however, had something else to say. B次元官网网址淚 support you!B次元官网网址� said a passing pedestrian.
A man driving by with the window rolled down said the same, giving a thumbs up.
A man in a suit confronted the officer: B次元官网网址淒onB次元官网网址檛 you feel bad?B次元官网网址� he demanded.
Only one naysayer raised his voice.
B次元官网网址淏um!B次元官网网址� muttered an older man before shuffling off. But heB次元官网网址檚 likely not GoodsonB次元官网网址檚 only opponent.
B次元官网网址淲e have received complaints,B次元官网网址� confirmed Kitson. Standing back, a second officer photographed the hubbub.
After the officersB次元官网网址� departure, a few people lingered, offering advice.
The impassioned suited man urged Goodson to keep shining shoes, but change her sign to read B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 a beggar: Sit down and give me some money.B次元官网网址�
ThereB次元官网网址檚 no bylaw against begging, he pointed out. Less than five metres away, a silent man, cap in hand, watched the action closely.
Bystander Chris Gower-Rees, who has a background in public relations, advised Goodson to B次元官网网址渞epositionB次元官网网址� herself.
Winning approval is all about perception, he explained. B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檙e providing a personal service, (but) if they open it up to personal services, which personal services will be allowed and which will not? Will chair massage be allowed?B次元官网网址�
Goodson, however, described what she does as busking.
B次元官网网址淚 have 10 years of post-secondary education and a sense of humour,B次元官网网址� she said, clearly comfortable in the spotlight. B次元官网网址淚 am an entertainer.B次元官网网址�
Later that evening, Goodson pleaded her case for a second time to city council.
A sufferer of CrohnB次元官网网址檚 disease who receives a disability pension, she said she likes to work but canB次元官网网址檛 find a part-time job.
B次元官网网址淚f you canB次元官网网址檛 find a job, you need to make a job,B次元官网网址� she said.
Her story has won the support of Coun. Lisa Helps, councilB次元官网网址檚 downtown liaison.
Shining shoes is categorically similar to food carts; both are examples of street vending, Helps said Friday.
Currently, street vending can only take place on private property, such as parking lots, with permission from the owner. ItB次元官网网址檚 one possibility Goodson is considering for her own business.
Helps, however, is hoping to loosen the regulations so that people like Goodson can sell their goods or services on city property. Next month, she and Coun. Marianne Alto will bring a motion to this effect to council.
Such a change to city bylaws, however, will take time.
In the meantime, Helps said she hopes the city will categorize GoodsonB次元官网网址檚 shoe-shine business as legal, non-conforming and turn a blind eye.
B次元官网网址淭his is where the activist part of me and the city councillor part of me are in total conflict,B次元官网网址� Helps admitted.
B次元官网网址�(Goodson is) obviously providing a valuable service, sheB次元官网网址檚 obviously providing a livelihood for herself.B次元官网网址�
rholmen@vicnews.com
