Continued from page 1 Town says zoning does not permit exterior patios hidden, with one actually appearing in a 2006 picture in The Oakville Beaver, when the location was used in a television shoot for the comedy series Mid-Morning Men. When reached for comment, the Town's Director of Building Services John Tutert said the zoning that permits Sammy's Famous Old Fashion Chip Wagon to operate does not allow for exterior patios. "The thing is, it wasn't permitted," said Tutert. "(The) bylaw (department) acted on a complaint and they investigated and they discovered there was an outdoor patio and that's why bylaw got involved." Tutert said Rawdah does have the option of applying for a variance to permit the picnic tables -- something the chip wagon owner said he intends to do. This variance would need to be approved by the Town's Committee of Adjustment; however, Tutert said there are no guarantees Rawdah will be successful. Rawdah said the Town has been working with him to resolve this issue and expressed gratitude for the assistance of Oakville Mayor Rob Burton and Ward 1 councillors Ralph Robinson and Alan Johnston. Rawdah said he will be allowed to keep the picnic tables in place while he applies for his variance, but is still worried he may lose them in 3 · Friday, June 29, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Rawdah said he has issues with removing the picnic tables as his customers would be left with nowhere to sit -- at a time when large-scale events are upcoming in the village. The restaurateur said he views the removal of the tables as a safety concern, as without them he fears customers may sit in nearby parking lots or on street corners to eat. Rawdah said he is confused as to why the tables are an issue now, since they were never the long run. For this reason, Rawdah is calling on residents to e-mail or write to Ward 1 councillors in support of his chip wagon. Rawdah said he has been a Bronte resident for 23 years and opened his chip truck business following a career in the car-detailing field. Sammy's Famous Old Fashion Chip Truck has proven so popular, Rawdah was able to open a new storefront location in Bronte called Sammy's Famous in April. "I have a lot of passion about the food and I like what I'm doing and I have been doing it successfully for the last seven years," said Rawdah. "What I like most about this business is the people... I like connecting with people, I like meeting new people in Bronte. I like to speak to people all the time, I love it." WE That's why we're working so hard to protect them. On behalf of the Town of Oakville, Arborwood Tree Service is currently treating qualifying ash trees this summer to protect them from the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). The Coalition for Urban Ash Tree Conservation has published an article where they "strongly endorse ash tree conservation" and believe that "in many cases, tree conservation is economically and environmentally superior to tree removal." View the Coalition's full article at www.oakville.ca/eabresources.htm by clicking "Emerald Ash Borer Management statement". DAVID LEA / OAKVILLE BEAVER / @halton_photog keep in front of his chip wagon in Bronte. FIGHTING FOR A SEAT: Sammy Rawdah sits on one of the picnic tables he is fighting to THE OAKVILLE CLUB Family - Friendly - Fun Support the Oakville Canopy Club! You don't need an ash tree to do your part to help save Oakville's tree canopy. Visit www.oakville.ca/eab.htm. Mention this ad on the Oakville Canopy Club Facebook page and get a free t-shirt! (T-shirts are available to Oakville residents only. While supplies last.) Contact us about our 3 Month Trial Membership Where You Belong 56 Water Street, Oakville. ON - 905.845.0231 www.oakvilleclub.com - membership@oakvilleclub.com Spread the word! Oakville Canopy Club @OakCanopyClub arborwood.ca 1.888.721.8882 | 905.681.9933 We sell the most homes in Canada. Let us help you sell yours. www.remaxaboutowne.com Aboutowne Reality Corp., Brokerage 905-338-9000 (Downtown Office) 905-842-7000 (Uptown Office) Independently owned and operated.