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http:// --> Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Obituaries Weather Archive Hot Topics Forum Photo Gallery Past Readers Polls Revels Etcetera Backpage O-Zone Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad Online Games Movie Preview October 20, 2006 Local law might squelch campaigning By Robert Plain Ashland Daily Tidings Distributing printed campaign material to private homes may be a crime in Ashland, but the city has decided it won't enforce the ordinance until it is reviewed further. The ordinance was brought to the city's attention by an e-mail from a member of the public to City Recorder Barbara Christensen. Christensen then sent the information to candidates. "Please be aware that there is a city ordinance that prohibits leaving flyers on personal property without permission," she wrote to all of the candidates. The issue came up at Tuesday's council meeting, with some council candidates — and their handlers — wondering how it will affect their campaigns. "I respectfully request that [the city] consider issuing a temporary order to not enforce the ordinance," wrote Pam Vavra, John Stromberg's campaign manager, in an e-mail to several city officials. "Candidates are just now being made aware of the ordinance, and many, especially non-incumbents without name recognition and those who cannot afford city-wide mailings, rely upon door-to-door leafletting to get their message to voters." City Attorney Mike Franell said, "Unless we receive direction from the council that they want this strictly enforced I'm not sure we will be out citing people for violating it." He said in a 1998 court case from the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, Krantz v. City of Ft. Smith, a similar statute was repealed for being "overly broad." However, that case involved putting flyers on vehicle windshields parked in public spaces. Because Ashland's ordinance involves private residences, this could be different. "That is one of the things that could be a potentially distinguishably different characteristics of the case," Franell said, noting that he was still looking into other more applicable cases. For the time being at least, the ordinance will not be enforced, said Franell and City Administrator Martha Bennett. Current Comments: only in Asland! former resident - now in texas - October 20th, 1:15 PM And what about this ordinance??? "10.68.160 Annoying others prohibited No person shall solicit the acquaintance of another in any park, or annoy or follow children, or distribute obscene literature, or in any way annoy another. (Ord 626 S16, 1916) " Dane Coefer - Ashland, Oregon - October 20th, 2:38 PM So, the City Council establishes an ordinance and the City Attorney wants direction from the City Council whether they want the ordinance STRICTLY enforced. And the City Administrator wants to wait awhile. Do they think the Council was joking when the ordinance was passed? Is this their attitude toward all ordinances? Are ordinances passed just so the Council looks good, but has no intention they be enforced? Where does the buck stop in Ashland? Bud Carroll - Ashland - October 20th, 3:10 PM Now you can see how the police department members must feel. They are probably always wondering what ordinances they are suppose to enforce and which ones they don't. carol - Ashland - October 20th, 7:40 PM "Candidates are just now being made aware of the ordinance, and many, especially non-incumbents without name recognition and those who cannot afford city-wide mailings, rely upon door-to-door leafletting to get their message to voters." And I though ignorance of the law was no excuse. David Weberg - Ashland, Oregon - October 20th, 8:08 PM Ashland needs a private direct mail publication -it would no doubt solve this problem. However, if the tidings doesn't invite friendly competition, I doubt that this comment will even be published. Schools, businesses, local happenings, and politicians need help spreading local news. Come on Ashland, show your support when someone has the gutts and money to help this town out once and for all! Juet Dansk ( [email protected] ) - Ashland, Oregon - October 21st, 12:56 AM I've been aware of this common sense ordinance for years. I get plenty of junk mail without someone delivering it to my house. We should enforce this law. Paul - Ashland Oregon - October 21st, 3:19 AM Selectively enforcing the law in Ashland? That would be as silly as police giving warnings to people with "above the boulevard" addresses, and tickets to people with apartment addresses. I am now living in a city where the police "Serve and Protect", not "Pursue for Profit". Anyway, don't you have enough to worry about when your city is blighted by a large flag and garage doors that are painted? another former resident - La Grande, OR - October 22nd, 2:01 PM Leave a Comment: Advertisement: Advertisement: Paid Advertising Inkjet Printers Student Loans Water Filter Helzberg Diamonds Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Advertisement: Copyright © 2006 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.