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Source: ONE News
Napier City Council is being accused of theft after forcibly taking away sandwich board signs.
Council workers went through the CBD just before lunchtime Thursday and removed any signs from businesses which had not paid the $100 fee for putting signage on footpaths.
Business owners called the police and council workers were abused as they threw about 50 signs into the back of a large truck.
Shop owner Paula Hadabora says they received no warning from the council. She says they just turned up and took people's signs off the street. Hadabora says she can't believe she lives in a town where the council thinks that is okay.
Hadabora says the signs themselves cost around $400 but the council says it will not return the signs until the businesses pay the new fee.
Cafe owner Kim Saber says the council's action has been disgraceful. She says some people called police because the council is stealing private property.
Saber says many of these business will not survive if they have to pay the fee, which increases to $500 in two years.
Napier Mayor Barbara Arnott says she knew nothing about council plans to forcibly remove the business signs. Arnott, who is out of town, says she didn't know anything about what happened. However she says the council has written three letters since January to the businesses, warning them to pay the fee.
What do you think about sandwich boards on footpaths? Do you think the council has been fair? Have your say on our messageboard
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