Regulations on Solicitation, Prescription Drugs Discussed

If you're a solicitor, whether door-to-door or street-side, you should keep an eye open for new legislation coming to Kennesaw. 

On Wednesday night, the held a work session.  A few items were discussed, including plans to relocate the Community House and accommodate bus parking at the new location.

The big issue of the evening, though, seemed to be a proposed ordinance which would place several regulations on solicitation in Kennesaw.

Following a presentation by City Manager Steve Kennedy, officials revisited a draft for an ordinance that would change legislation concerning street solicitors.

According to officials, the draft addresses common door-to-door solicitation, as well as roadside solicitation and the handing out of literature. Under the ordinance, unrecognized charities would have to register with the city before they could begin to solicit.

Street solicitors operating at intersections would have to wear orange safety vests, while another provision states that no more than four individuals, nor more than one organization, may operate at the same intersection at once. Street solicitors would also need to obtain a permit to operate.

Door-to-door solicitors will also see a change if the ordinance passes. Upon enactment, such solicitors would need to obtain a permit at a cost of $25 for a 30-day period. The draft also states that no one under the age of 18 may participate in the act of solicitation.

Terry Bruckner represented the Shriners, an organization often seen at intersections, soliciting donations.

"It was good to be able to work something out like this," said Bruckner. "From what we've discussed, it's good the way that you are setting it up."

Next, the meeting proceeded into a presentation by Chief of Police Bill Westenberger, who gave the final recommendations of the Prescription Drug Task Force.

The Task Force aims to tackle the problem of illegal prescription drug use and abuse by implementing stricter licensing requirements. It also seeks to regulate to a greater degree the amount of drugs a business may distribute to individuals at once.

"What we decided to do was look at it from a business license perspective," said Westenberger.  He said doctors rarely distribute drugs; most distribution is done through businesses outside of the doctor's office.

The Task Force's recommendations included several provisions concerning licensing. Businesses would be required to provide specific information about associates, consumers, and partners.

The Task Force also recommended that no license or renewals be given to felons who might own a business or any medical practitioners on probation due to drug-related causes.

"I don't see where this would be intrusive in any nature," said Westenberger.  The proposed regulations are reasonable, he said.

At the end of Westenberger's presentation, the council agreed to cut the meeting short due to continual warnings of severe icing and reports of a significantly high number of