“So many of the complaints of solicitation in the main downtown area really were and are covered under the current and recently updated City Code on aggressive solicitation. I’ve said all year that increased police presence and enforcement, and especially a commitment to report from business owners and citizens, is what has been needed all along to improve this downtown commerce area without affecting the vitality that comes from people being on the streets or (exposing the city to) a lawsuit.”
– City Councilwoman Lisa Czelatdko, reacting to news that a judge had granted the ACLU’s request for an injunction of the recently approved no-panhandling zone downtown.
Mrs. Czelatdko brings up a good point. There is also the ‘public component’ in that we,as voters and taxpayers, may need to pony up and pay for the protection we demand. If she can shake off the damage done to her fledgling career from an alignment with the “Clark-Lathen” faction, she could become an effective leader accomplishing the true regional collaboration she has recognized as needed. It is interesting when recognition of influential ladies of leadership was listed in the Independent today, Robin Roberts and Jan Martin were on the list.
Real talent, with quiet competence and very little ‘flash and fluff’ create results.
so if we already had a law that was supposed to work for us why did you push for this? why did you waste our cities money?
Councilwoman Czeladtko makes a strong case for increased police presence downtown and on the Westside. There is no substitute for boots on the ground.
Lisa c = smart cookie.