Thursday, April 28, 2016

Save the Date: Downtown Streetfest & Fireworks

UPDATE: THE DOWNTOWN SANFORD STREETFEST & FIREWORKS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED. A NEW DATE WILL BE FORTHCOMING.

The City of Sanford and Downtown Sanford, Inc. are excited to announce the DOWNTOWN STREETFEST & FIREWORKS, a celebration of the completed streetscape revitalization in downtown Sanford.

The Downtown Streetfest & Fireworks will feature music, food trucks, entertainment, and local businesses. The evening will be capped off with fireworks.

When: Friday, October 7 starting at 5:30 p.m. Fireworks will begin at approximately 8:30 p.m.

Where: The block of downtown Sanford ringed by Steele Street, Carthage Street, Moore Street, and Wicker Street.

Want to get involved? Volunteers will be needed to make this once-in-a-lifetime event a success. If you’d like to help or become a sponsor, contact Jennifer St. Clair at 919-718-4659 x 1400 or Kelly Miller at 919-777-1133.

Sunday, April 24, 2016

Know Your Door-to-Door Solicitation Rights

Under threat of litigation, the Sanford City Council has updated its Peddlers/Itinerant Merchant ordinance. Effective immediately, the change allows residents in the city of Sanford to post a “No Soliciting” sign to prevent door-to-door sales at their homes.

Previously, the City of Sanford required peddlers to secure a permit and receive the occupant’s permission before going to the door of a private residence to sell or take orders for goods, wares, or merchandise. The goal was to protect residents from annoyance or interference by those who might use unscrupulous tactics, fear, or intimidation when selling door to door.

However, recent court decisions have narrowed the ability of government to regulate commercial speech, making restrictions on soliciting easy to challenge. To avoid a lengthy legal battle that would likely side with businesses that rely on soliciting, the City of Sanford has amended its ordinance.

New Rules

  • Each person who goes door to door to take orders or sell goods, wares, or merchandise must apply to the City of Sanford for a Peddlers/Itinerant Merchant license. There is a nonrefundable fee and the license runs on the fiscal year of July 1 to June 30. Solicitors must show their valid license upon request.
  • Residents are allowed to post a “No Soliciting” sign on their property to prevent solicitors from knocking on their door. Any solicitor who ignores the sign will be in violation of the ordinance.
  • Neighborhoods with a property owners’ association may post a “no soliciting” sign at the entrance to the neighborhood if the association has the proper authority to do so. Any solicitor who knocks on doors in the neighborhood for purpose of selling will be in violation of the ordinance.
  • Any resident may ask a solicitor to leave, regardless of whether a “no soliciting” sign is posted. Peddlers who do not leave when asked are trespassing. Residents should call 9-1-1 if they feel threatened or harassed. Remember that no resident has to open the door for a stranger, including solicitors.

Enforcement


Residents should call the Sanford Police Department at 919-777-1000 to file a report if any solicitor cannot produce the Peddlers/Itinerant Merchant license, refuses to leave when asked, or otherwise fails to comply with the ordinance’s rules. Violators will be fined $50. After two violations, solicitors may lose their license for a period of 12 months.

The ordinance specifically applies to solicitation for the purpose of selling goods and merchandise and does not prohibit canvassing by religious groups, civic or non-profit groups, and political campaigners, which is considered free speech.

Questions?


To obtain a Peddlers/Itinerant Merchant license, visit the Business Licenses section of our website, found under Billing and Collections.

For more information, contact Ebony McLean at 919-777-1144.

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Block Party Beautifies Woodland Avenue

More than 130 volunteers, including city leaders, youth groups, and churches, came together on Saturday for the Sanford Block Party, an annual community clean-up and beautification project that focused on Woodland Avenue from Courtland Drive to Hughes Street this year.






During the event, firefighters from the Sanford Fire Department canvassed the neighborhood to share information about smoke detectors and install detectors in homes that didn't have one.


For more information about the Sanford Block Party, take a look at the Sunday, April 10 edition of The Sanford Herald (or see article here and here) or call Karen Kennedy at 919-718-4657 x 5391.

Check the City of Sanford's Facebook page in the coming days for a photo album and video of the event.

Monday, April 4, 2016

Arbor Day Scheduled for April 29

The City of Sanford will host its fourth annual Arbor Day celebration at B.T. Bullock Elementary School on Friday, April 29.

As in years past, students will perform songs, essays, and poems around the theme of nature and trees. School leaders and members of the community will plant trees on the school's lawn.

Details: The program will begin at 1:00 p.m. in the school's gym, located at 1410 McNeill Road in Sanford. The public is invited.

Long-term goals for the City's partnership with Bullock include a learning garden, botanical arboretum, and anti-erosion planting.

For more information, contact Liz Whitmore at 919-718-4657 ext 5393.