Question of the Week: Where Do You Stand on the Sidewalk Cafe Fee Debate?

It didn't quite come to blows, but boy was there tension in the room last Wednesday night. Deputy Mayor Tom Riche and Councilman Paul Aronsohn had a nasty battle over whether the village should be charging for sidewalk cafe permits to private businesses that have outdoor dining on their own private property–not on a right-of-way or village-owned space.

Aronsohn questioned whether the fees should have been done in the first place, coining it a 'shakedown' at one point and calling for a full reexamination of the ordinance Riche helped author a decade ago.

Meanwhile, Riche said the fees are minimal considering some business owners told him they can make it back in one night. He also said he was greatly offended by Aronsohn's "shakedown" comment.

(See the article with two videos for more detail .)

Commenters had a range of views last week, some sarcastically (we think?) suggesting the village should charge fees for those leaving the village boundaries and those who nap during the day, with others saying Aronsohn made a "mountain out of a molehill."

Well, what do you think? Totally overblown? Appropriate? Is the village 'shaking down' restaurant owners? Let us know your thoughts.