A rash of ticketing by the Sanitation Dept. recently threatened business as usual for a number of restaurants and stores on brownstone Brooklyn’s major commercial thoroughfares. The tickets were for the commonly used A-frame signs (aka sandwich boards) that advertise specials and goods (Unlimited Mimosas With Brunch, $9.95, for example). Beginning in October, Sanitation ticketed many merchants—including the Community Bookstore, Downtown Atlantic, Biscuit BBQ, and Zaytoons—on Atlantic Avenue, Smith Street, Court Street, 5th Avenue and 7th Avenue for using sandwich boards. The ticketing wave was brought to the attention of Councilmember David Yassky’s office, which met with Sanitation Dept. commish John Dougherty in late December. The result? [Dougherty] agreed it was ridiculous, says Marian Wood, Yassky’s district director. The department released a directive (see copy on jump) that allows businesses to use the signs on commercial streets (with a few exceptions) as long as they don’t impede pedestrian traffic. Dougherty says that businesses that have received tickets should contact his office, which will help get them dismissed. And so brunch advertising will live to see another weekend!