Michael Elliot plays music for a living. He’s a full-time busker who moved to Kelowna a couple of years ago. One of his favourite spots to play is Bernard Avenue near PandosyStreet, where he was recently fined $500 for violating the city’s noise bylaw because he uses an amplifier.
Bylaw officers said Elliott was warned a day prior to being issued the fine and that refused to show his busking permit.
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Kelowna city councillor Ryan Donn has come to Elliott’s defence. He said the fine would appear to be excessive.
“It was embarrassing. From the outside perspective, somebody getting a fine for $500 for playing some music isn’t really the brand I want for the City of Kelowna,” Donn said.
Meantime, the fine would appear to have had the desired effect, Elliot said he’s done busking on Bernard — at least for the time being.
“People have told me to continue but I think that’s ill-advised until this is sorted out,” Elliott said.