Year in Review – June:
He’d been doing it for 41 years with little or no blowback, but this June well-known Richmond farmer Bill Zylmans fell foul of the city’s bylaws with his giant strawberry sign.
Zylmans was ordered by the city to take down his sign – positioned at the intersection of Westminster Highway and Knight Street – as it was on city property without permission.
The farmer, who has operated W&A Farms for more than 50 years, was told the $500 fine would be waived if he took the sign down straight away.
Zylmans refused, citing that he’s been putting up the seasonal sign for more than four decades and it doesn’t interfere with traffic.
Almost two weeks later, the fine escalated to $1,000 and he finally towed away the sign, vowing to fight the matter.
Zylmans was true to his word and had his day in Richmond Provincial Court in November, where he was summoned to explain why he hadn’t paid the $1,000 bylaw infraction ticket.
And to the surprise of most people, not least Zylmans, the judge sided with the farmer, stating that the city’s bylaw officer hadn’t done enough to prove the sign was actually on city property.
Outside of court, a relieved Zylmans told the Richmond News, “I think it’s a good day for agriculture and it’s a good day for farming in Richmond.”
