The issue of the City of Atlanta's Pan Handling Ordinance---why can't the city be held to the same standards being that it keeps sticking the citizens for more money while it is constantly being stolen from the citizens. In that light, why can't the ordinance be used to stop the City of Atlanta constantly "pan handling" as well. Dr. Wilson gave his views on the issue as noted below:
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Johnny L. Wilson, PhD
June 26, 2009
Mrs. Elizabeth B. Chandler, City of Atlanta
Department of Law
68 Mitchell Street
Suite 4100
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
RE: Ordinance 03-0-1188 Introduced by Council member H.Lamar Willis Prohibiting Panhandling Within the Downtown Atlanta Are, etc
Dear Mrs. Chandler:
I am writing this letter requesting an opinion from the City of Atlanta Law Department regarding whether the wording and language employed in Ordinance number 0300-1188 Introduced by Atlanta City Council person H Lamar Willis does in fact,limit members of the Atlanta City Council in its official legislative duty and capacity from holding and scheduling a public hearing on a plan submitted by Mayor Shirley Franklin to raise tax rate for the Atlanta’s operating service from 7.12 mills to 10.12,a 42 per cent increase over the rollback ”(AJC ,June 25,209),p.B4
The Ordinance has particular foundation and reference to my question because the wording and the language in it read:
Section 1:Definition:”Panhandling” is defined as any solicitation made in person in which a request is made for an immediate donation of money or other gratuity from another person.
Section 2:Prohibited Acts: (a) It shall be unlawful for any person(s) to solicit funds or any item of monetary value within the parameters of Down Atlanta.
Section 4: Penalties. Any person caught soliciting money or items of monetary value will receive a citation upon it being the first offense, etc.
Given the broad application of the Ordinance, we also ask, namely:
Secondly, does the definition, axiom, language, paragraph or wording employed in and referenced by Section 1 of the Ordinance No.03-0-1188 fail to make any distinction between “who and where” a request for funds is to be made and thus, by holding a “public hearing” scheduled by the Atlanta City Council “to hold discussions on a plan to raise property taxes on city home owners” constitute a violation of the Ordinance?
Thirdly, If the wording in the Ordinance ”Panhandling ” defines as any solicitation made in person in which a request is made for an immediate donation of money or other gratuity from another person, how hen can Mayor Shirley Franklin solicit $240 million from the average Atlanta homeowner?
Sincerely,
Johnny L. Wilson
