Skateboarder explains his position on bylaw
Lee Breen has decided he's going to stand up for something he believes in.
The 25-year-old Fredericton skateboarder was fined by city police for skateboarding in the streets. He decided he wasn't going to pay the $100 fine because he believes the fine is hypocritical, given that the city is promoting the use of alternate forms of transportation in its Green Matters campaign.
Breen sat down with reporter Adam Bowie the day before he surrendered himself to police to discuss his passion for environmentalism and how his family suppors his cause.
***
Q: What are the three things that bother you the most about this whole mess?
A: That the city feels so strongly that they'll put me in jail over this issue. And that (skateboarders) just don't get the respect or recognition that we deserve. The police officer twice said while he was in court that I was very cordial and I really liked that. We're all good, nice people and we're just trying to get around. I wear a helmet and I use hand-signals - just like someone on a bicycle.
And I'm upset that this hasn't been taken care of yet. This bylaw has been on the books for umpteen number of years and it hasn't been cleared up yet.
***
Q: You feel strongly that the skateboard is how you get around.
A: It's a form of transportation. It's much cheaper than buying a bicycle and it's a lot easier to keep your skateboard. You don't leave it outside, so people don't steal your skateboard.
***
Q: When did you decide that you were going to take a stand against this fine?
A: I actually got the ticket last August when I was skating down to East Side (Board Supply) to get a helmet for my brother. His birthday was coming up. I got the ticket and I went to a party at his house a little later.
I was telling my parents and my Dad said, "You can't pay that fine. You've got to go to court and stand up and say, 'No way.'" I do use this as a form of transportation and I've been doing it for years.
***
Q: Your family sounds like they're firmly behind you in this.
A: My family is supportive and my brother's been a big help. Even my girlfriend's parents are really supporting me. They think it's good that I'm standing up for what I believe in.
***
Q: Do you think the city is being hypocritical?
A: It's in complete contrast with what it says in the Green Matters pamphlet. They want to encourage people to use different modes of transportation ... It's just the old stereotype of the bad skateboarder. They see all the bad and none of the good.
***
Q: It's also a moral issue for you. You're an environmentally conscious person who even has a carbon-free business because you take this issue so seriously.
A: Yes, it's very important in my life. I've always felt the connection with nature. I've been a tree-planter for years and I just really don't want to pay the city any money to keep this law on the books ... I have a lawn-mowing business that has a few clients right now. I've got a bicycle and a trailer that carries around my old-style (gas-free) mower.
I mowed lawns for years as a kid and I didn't like using the gas. I'm not good at filling up the machine, so I'd spill it. I don't know how to fix a lawnmower when it did break, so that was frustrating and they make so much noise. So when I saw (the old-school) mower, it made complete sense to me. And gas prices are going through the roof. With this, I can work for my wages.
***
Q: So you're going to be transported to jail by a gas-guzzling paddywagon?
A: The original plan my brother and I hatched after I was convicted was to skateboard down to Saint John on the highway, because there'd be no law against that. But they told me I had to show up (at the Justice Building).
***
Q: Why do you think the city isn't taking the issue as seriously as you are?
A: Everyone has their own opinions. I talked to my newly elected councillor Jordan Graham about it and he said he's a supporter.
He said he'd be willing to take it up with council after he's sworn in. I really think that in the next year or so we should be able to get this bylaw changed.
***
Q: Is it crazy to you that things have come to this point?
A: Yeah. I have to concentrate on getting the message out there through the media and trying not to think about the fact that I'll be in jail.
***
Adam Bowie is a reporter at The Daily Gleaner. You can reach him at bowie. adam@dailygleaner.com.
More Opinion
Search Articles
More CE Network Sites & Partners:
Comments (2)
All comments are subject to the site Terms of Use. For a full commenting tutorial click here.
Our editorial team relies on filtering technology and our visitor community to identify inappropriate comments. In the event that a site user has submitted offensive content that has evaded our filter, please select the option to Flag As Inappropriate presented within the comment. Thank you for helping to keep this site clean.
If the man is not coordinated enough to fill a lawn mower without spilling it, how can he be coordinated to operate a skateboard on city streets with jeapordizing the safety of others?
You broke the law, you got caught, take responsibilty for your actions and stop whining Mr. Breen.