Fwd: Your input is urgently needed on the no soliciting ordinance - lack of interest may be interrupted as no interest all.
Buckingham HOA
From: HOA Network <netwo...@knology.net>
Date: Sun, Sep 29, 2013 at 9:40 AM
Subject: Your input is urgently needed on the no soliciting ordinance - lack of interest may be interrupted as no interest all.
To: HOA Network <netwo...@knology.net>
As you may have heard or read in the newspaper, dozens of parents from various youth organizations are seeking to have Madison’s “no solicitation” ordinance revised or rescinded to allow their children to go door-to-door for fundraisers.
Click HERE to see: James Clemens High School boosters tangle with Madison City Council on no-soliciting law (updated), By Paul Huggins
Now business are jumping on the bandwagon to position themselves for equal access to your privacy. Some, but not all, options Council might consider would include leaving the ordinance as written, exempting HOA’s and other communities from participation by excluding their right to self-govern by placing signs at their entrances, or rescinding the “no solicitation” ordinance altogether. While they could amend to require each and every individual household to “opt in” by placing a sign on their own property, that is most likely an impractical option.
Regardless of your position on Madison’s children having legal access to do door-to-door soliciting, do you want the city to:
· Take away your community’s right to post signs at entrances to protect your privacy?
· Do you feel community associations, whether they are nonprofits or organized owners, have an inherent right to serve their members/residents by restricting “door-to-door soliciting”. Subverting those rights may be viewed as a giant step backward, especially when Madison has gone on record with the legislature supporting protective legislation for homeowners and buyers, and as a state bill is currently being drafted to further protection.
· Require every single owner to place a “no soliciting” sign on their own property, undermining your community’s collective wishes?
· Reverse the relief communities have enjoyed as a result of the current ordinance by virtually eliminating solicitation by pest control, lawn service, truckload furniture, meat and magazine sales companies, etc. by eliminating your right to post “no soliciting” signs at your community entrances or weakening the benefits the current ordinance affords?
· Make it easier for Madison children to be placed in harm’s way, or worse?
· Do you feel the benefits of removing your rights and current options outweigh the risks of potential harm?
No known instances of Madison’s children being verbally abused, or having the police intervene, have surfaced to date. Many parents do not wish their children to solicit door-to-door. The ordinance is attached for your review. Madison’s legal representation has advised that the city cannot provide an exemption based upon what is sold, or whether the seller is a non-profit or a for-profit business.
This is an emotionally charged issue and you are encouraged to very carefully weigh all points in the article, and those presented to the city council, provide your comments, and avoid the possibility of unintended consequences from a hasty decision. Most of all, let your voice be heard. This is a difficult issue for your city leadership and lack of interest may be interrupted as no interest all.
This will be discussed and considered at the next Council meeting, scheduled for Monday, Oct. 14, 6 PM, at City Hall. Whether you live in Madison or not, the final decision could ultimately affect you through the decision reached. Please plan on attending and participating. If you cannot attend, please respond with your comments or contact Madison City Council directly at city.c...@madisonal.gov. If responding directly to this e-mail, you may ask that your name and e-mail address be removed, if you wish.
Your input is urgently needed.
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