The City of Mackinac Island contends this tricycle, placed on the property of Ron Dufina's Balsam Shop on the corner of Hoban and Main to advertise his nearby Village Inn Restaurant, is in violation of the city's sign ordinance, which outlaws freestanding signs. A hearing that may settle a dispute between Village Inn Restaurant owner Ron Dufina and the City of Mackinac Island over the use of a tricycle delivery cart to promote his restaurant will be held in 92nd District Court in St. Ignace at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 30.

Mr. Dufina was issued a citation for unlawful display of a nonconforming sign earlier this month after he chained the tricycle cart to a wood post at his Balsam Shop building on the corner of Hoban and Main streets, down the street from his restaurant.

Mr. Dufina has been an outspoken opponent of the city's sign ordinance since the city amended it last July to ban the use of freestanding signs, including sandwich boards, which City Council believes are a hazard to fire safety and traffic flow. Mr. Dufina believes such signs attract business and that store owners should be allowed to use them, especially in this depressed economy.

Mr. Dufina owes $110 for his first citation and $210 for the second, issued by Police Chief Jim Marks, who also turned it over to District Court.

City attorney Tom Evashevski will represent the city at the hearing, while Mark Dobias of Sault Ste. Marie will represent Mr. Dufina. Judge Beth Gibson will be presiding.