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13 | O akville B eaver | T hursday,June 11,2020 insidehalton.com 2423 TRAFALGAR RD. OAKVILLE (905) 257-7878 WINGSUP.COM LIMITED TIME OFFER. SOME RESTRICTIONS APPLY currently mandatory in her store as well, but says she is rethinking that pol- icy due to some of the re- actions she has gotten. "Some people don't seem particularly happy about it and will leave," she said. "I don't want to lose any business at a time when I simply can't afford to lose business. So, we are still figuring this out."figuring this out."f Both Nissani and Bar- rington have also had to reduce their hours of op- eration. While Barrington be- lieves a vaccine and assis- tance from all levels of government will be need- ed to help businesses and the economy recovery from this pandemic, hefrom this pandemic, hef said downtown Oakville has staying power. "I think there will al- ways be a place for small business and downtown Oakville is certainly one of the more charming downtown business ar- eas," he said. Nissani and Pointon are calling on residents to support local businesses, particularly now. Burton said the conclu- sion of the Lakeshore Road reconstruction will assist the downtown in its recovery. "When construction ends in October, there will be more public space in front of shops to increasefront of shops to increasef the businesses' opportuni- ties to engage with the public," he said. "The wider sidewalk design of the new street- scape we're creating on top of the work to replace the collapsing roadbed gives more opportunities for pedestrian activitiesfor pedestrian activitiesf and takes nothing away from those who come byfrom those who come byf car." The Downtown Oak- ville BIA recently held a Cyber Sidewalk Sale aimed at drawing atten- tion back to the down- town. They are also hold- ing an Instagram Live Se- ries to allow businesses to connect with the commu- nity. For more information, visit https://oakville- downtown.com/2020/06/ 01/june-schedule-insta- gram-live-takeover-se- ries/. For a list of downtown Oakville businesses and the level of services they are currently offering, visit https://oakville- downtown.com/2020/03/ 17/whats-open-in-down- town-oakville/. STORY BEHIND THE STORY: Already hindered by extensive construction, downtown businesses are struggling during the ongoing pandemic, though finding ways to adapt and stay afloat. NEWS Continued from page 12 The Town of Oakville's bylaw enforcement officers handed out some significant tickets over the weekend to those still not obeying the rules surrounding the coro- navirus. On May 30 and May 31, bylaw staff responded to 276 complaints and gave 160 warnings. Jill MacInnes, the Town's Senior Communications Advisor, said most of these warnings were given to resi- dents entering prohibited areas like enclosed sports fields or playgrounds.fields or playgrounds.f She said warnings were also given out to people who were not physically distanc- ing and were gathered in groups larger than five peo- ple. Town staff also handedTown staff also handedT out four tickets during the weekend. A $750 ticket was issued under the Emergency Man- agement and Civil Protec- tion Act and went to the host of a social gathering in a home where more than five people were present. Three municipal bylaw tickets of $300 were also is- sued. Two went to residents who were found in public with their dogs off leash. In April, Oakville Mayor Rob Burton amended theRob Burton amended theR new physical distancing by- law to include keeping dogs on a leash no more than two metres in length at all times. The amendment came following numerous reportsfollowing numerous reportsf of dogs running off-leash on town trails and parks, re- sulting in individuals often coming too close to others to adhere to the new bylaw, ac- cording to a town statement. The third ticket went to an individual who entered a prohibited area -- an en- closed baseball diamond. "While the Town is focus- ing on public education for violations under the provin- cial orders, with each and every encounter, Municipal Enforcement Officers have discretion to take the en- forcement action they deemforcement action they deemf appropriate at the time, whether that's warning and education or issuing a tick- et," said MacInnes. Town staff have previ-Town staff have previ-T ously said arguing with a bylaw officer or otherwise failing to comply with thatfailing to comply with thatf officer's warning is a good way to get a ticket. Repeat offenders may al-Repeat offenders may al-R so receive a fine. SOCIAL GATHERING IN HOME RESULTS IN $750 TICKET DAVID LEA dlea@metroland.com SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT INSIDEHALTON.COM