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Council advances door-to-door solicitation ordinance after heated debate; vote 5-1 to place on first reading
Summary
Council advanced Ordinance 10-2026 (amending solicitation and peddler licensing rules) to first reading after debate about whether application and route requirements are excessive. Council member Jim Blair voted no; others said the changes are needed to deter fraud targeting older residents.
The Washington Court House City Council on May 13 voted 5-1 to place Ordinance No. 10-2026 on first reading, a proposed amendment to codified sections 114.03 (license application and requirements) and 114.04 (license fees and term) regulating door-to-door sales and solicitation.
Jim Blair, council member, expressed strong concerns that the ordinance imposes excessive information requirements on applicants, calling elements such as providing previous residences, employer information and route updates ‘‘way too wordy’’ and difficult to enforce. "They're predators is what they are," Blair said, describing instances in which solicitors misrepresent themselves or attempt to obtain electric-bill information from residents.
City Manager Joseph J. Denon and other council members defended the ordinance as a consumer-protection measure intended to deter fraud, particularly among older residents. Denon noted the city is trying to strike a balance between preserving door-to-door canvassing that can be legitimate and preventing predatory behaviors. Council clarified the code excludes political and religious solicitation, and charitable sales are exempt when appropriately documented (council discussed a Girl Scout cookie exemption in that context).
After discussion, council conducted a roll-call vote to place the ordinance on first reading; the tally was: Sylvia Call — yes; Caleb Johnson — yes; Dale Lynch — yes; Oz Osborne — yes; Jim Blair — no; Steve Schultz — yes.
What happens next: Placing Ordinance 10-2026 on first reading begins the formal legislative process; staff will prepare the ordinance text for subsequent readings and potential amendments before final adoption. Council members questioned the practicality of some reporting and enforcement requirements during debate, indicating amendments may be considered in later readings.
Primary source: Council debate and roll-call vote recorded at the May 13 meeting.
