There are many terribly important things to be concerned about as a resident of Bainbridge Island – an insolvent government, a dwindling middle class, old pipes leaking sewage into our pretty bay. I am writing, though, to express my disappointment with the planning department for messing with my weekly source of bread and canelé.

Every Monday, for the past few weeks, Elliott Yakush from Pane d’Amore bakery sits in a sparking-clean white van with a red “bread” banner flying overhead, selling sweet and chewy things outside his soon-to-open store in Lynwood Center. (Elliott says he doesn’t make much money from the venture, but it’s a nice way to meet people and spread the word about his business.)

This week, however, the folks from planning told him this culinary outreach is illegal despite his popularity with the neighbors and his efforts to abide by local and county regulations.

I know the employees at City Hall are overworked and stressed but, good grief, come to your senses. This is precisely the time we need to be encouraging entrepreneurs to start ventures, not shooing them away with high fees and prohibitory regulations.

Mon Dieu, let’s find a way to let a guy creatively sell his breadsticks.

Kim Hendrickson

Douglas Drive