JW can go door to door without a permit

Crystal

How do they figure the JW is a charitable org.?
They dont donate to any causes that I know of.
I believe they should be considered a buisness!!

Sunrise reviews law on soliciting door to door

By Jeremy Milarsky
Staff Writer
Posted July 23 2002

SUNRISE Doorstep preachers may soon be able to go through neighborhoods in this city without stopping by City Hall for a permit.

In an attempt to comply with a June 17 ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court, City Attorney Jeff Olson has asked commissioners to change the city's law governing door-to-door soliciting. Currently, anyone who wants to sell products or raise money for a charity, including a religious one, must get a permit from Sunrise's code enforcement division.

But the recent court ruling said, "cities cannot restrict persons engaged in door-to-door advocacy," Olson wrote in a memo to city commissioners. The ruling stemmed from a lawsuit filed by members of the Jehovah's Witnesses against the village of Stratton, Ohio, where officials had a rule similar to the one in Sunrise requiring permits of solicitors.

Under Olson's proposal, those in the business world must still identify themselves to city officials and pay a $50 permit fee before they can sell door to door. But "charitable solicitation" has been removed from the law entirely.

Commissioners passed the permitting law several years ago, Mayor Steven Feren said.

"People were complaining about salespeople, vendors, religious proselytizing -- all sorts of things," he said. "Our concern was mostly a combination of privacy and security."

Commissioners will decide whether to amend the law during a public meeting at 6:30 tonight in City Hall, 10770 W. Oakland Park Blvd. Because of the Supreme Court ruling, the issue is unlikely to stir debate, one commissioner said.

"We can't have an ordinance that conflicts with law," Commissioner Sheila Alu said.

Jeremy Milarsky can be reached at [email protected] or 954-572-2020.

Incense_and_Peppermints

they are a business... a multi-million-dollar one. (951 million or so)

i guess they subscribe to the "charity begins at home" philosophy. they are running a pretty good scam all right. any organization with as many loopholes as them can't possibly be good...

ThiChi

It has been reaffirmed by the High Court (over and over) that matters of a religious nature and/or non-commercial activities, are protected from Government regulations when engaged in speaking to the public. That includes coming to your door to talk to you. If I want to go my neighbor to talk about an issue that is important to me, should I have to obtain a permit first to do this? American values say no.

Though I disagree with the Dubs message, I do agree in principal with the ruling. I do not feel government should control every aspect of our lives.......

Are the dubs a business in the true sence of the word? No, they are not, as they meet all the governments "tests" for what is a non-profit, religious organization.

Edited by - thichi on 23 July 2002 13:36:12

Edited by - thichi on 23 July 2002 13:36:51

Edited by - thichi on 23 July 2002 13:38:4

amac

I agree with ThiChi. Their message being beside the point, if they are required to have a permit to go door to door, that would mean I can't even go to the houses on my street to organize a community event. It is my personal opinion that if someone is that opposed to people coming on their property, they should have a gate and a no trespassing sign.

Amazing

Religions are classed as IRS 501(c)(3) Non-Profit corporations. They do not have to be charitable in giving to others, they only have to be religious and not make a profit. They can hold capital reserves when donations exceed expenses, but these are not classed as profits unless they are paid out as dividends to shareholders.

Kenneson

Sunrise, with a population of 80,000 is located in Broward County, Florida. Closest major city to it is Fort Lauderdale.