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Post by Marc LeVine on Sept 7, 2006 12:39:48 GMT -5
The "No Knock" Ordinance I presented to Council a few months ago, MAY receive it's first reading at the October 2nd meeting. This is the ordinance that will allow FB residents the opportunity to be placed on a list that prohibits door to door solicitors from calling - including the landlords looking to buy their homes.
We believe the logistics of the Ordinance are now worked out and we will soon be ready to launch this program that will help reduce what is becoming a common annoyance in our town - door to door solicitation. Every little bit helps.
Stay tuned!
Marc
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Post by Marc LeVine on Oct 9, 2006 18:33:41 GMT -5
This ordinance change was introduced at last Monday night's Borough Council Meeting.
You will soon be able to contact the Borough Clerk to get your name on the list that prohibits door-to-door solicitors from knocking at your door. This group includes those landlords and realtors interested in blockbusting on your street, as well as other salespeople that invade your privacy or who may even threaten your personal safety. Such was the case in Dover Township a couple of years ago, when a solicitor murdered an elderly homeowner.
If you have any questions about the "No-Knock" Ordinance, call Borough Hall and speak with Linda Cottrell, Borough Clerk.
Marc
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Post by fedup on Oct 17, 2006 18:32:01 GMT -5
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Post by admin on Oct 30, 2006 18:23:03 GMT -5
I did something new today. I usually do not listen to much in the way of talk radio. Today while freedom rock was in commercial, I tuned into 101.5. They had the Dennis and Judy show on at the time.
By pure luck, I had tuned in when Judy started a new topic which was the " No Knock" Ordinance in Freehold Borough. Judy was pretty much doing a light discussion of the issue asking listeners if they ever had people knocking.
I pulled out the ol' cell phone and dialed the station number until I got through. I did get on the air as Brian from Freehold ( pretty accurate). I then informed Judy and the rest of New Jersey that the ordinance was sparked from people going door to door trying to get residents to sell their homes. We talked about the letters we all get in the mail offering to pay cash I two weeks. Judy said she got them as well! Maybe she lives here in Freehold? And of course, this being Freehold, Judy brought up the illegal immigrants.
My time was short on the air, but I thought it was cool for our town to have this issue discussed on the radio. I tried to get the word out that Freehold does not give up and tries to protect the quality of life in it's town.
So, for any of you who did hear that broadcast, it was your humble administrator.
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Post by Marc LeVine on Oct 30, 2006 19:31:54 GMT -5
The discussion actually started on the Jim Gearhart show and was carried over. Very unusual that it crossed into the second program with Judy.
I usually listen every day, but didn't have it on this morning. Clare Celano of the Transcript called me and told me it was being discussed and that I was quoted. Sure enough, it was on and I caught most of the topic. Gearhart Ioves the idea and most callers were in favor of it.
Marc
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Post by fedup on Oct 31, 2006 8:04:50 GMT -5
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Post by Marc LeVine on Oct 31, 2006 10:59:09 GMT -5
Elected officials from other towns need to pay more attention to their own issues and not meddle in the affairs of other towns with their own unique challenges, residents and municipal governments.
No one ever wanted to put a toxic garbage incinerator in Freehold Borough and I'm not sure if Tinton Falls has to deal with real estate blockbusting and illegal immigration. Freehold's issues are very different from Tinton Falls and all of our officials need to respect the special needs of each respective town's residents.
Freehold Borough follows all requirements for introducing and opening up its ordinances for public discussion, before voting on them. I'm sure Tinton Falls does the same. And, we don't need to be each other's watchdogs.
With all due respect, Mr. Skudera should be attending to ONLY the business of Tinton Falls. Unless, of course, he owns a rental property or two in Freehold Borough....or is looking to go door to door to buy a few.
Marc
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The Boy Scout Next Door
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Post by The Boy Scout Next Door on Oct 31, 2006 17:02:45 GMT -5
Well? Would the ordinance fine a girl scout for selling cookies door to door? Would it require political candidates to register and pay a fee to discuss their points of view? Seems like Mr. Skudera had a good point of view. And the real aim of the ordinance is simply to prevent a few Hasidim (real lthreatening idividuals by their appearance) from asking a person if they want to sell their house. It sounds like an ordinance whose burdern outweighs its benefits.
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Post by Freehold Resident on Oct 31, 2006 17:24:01 GMT -5
Wouldn't be so bad if they were just asking.
Other towns have this and Girl Scouts nowokies at the mall,because their parents don't want them going door to door anyway. Remember that sick Manzi kid in Jackson that killed the little boy when he came to the door selling something for his school?
If you oppose this, go to the second reading of the ordinance in November.
F R
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Post by Freehold Resident on Oct 31, 2006 17:26:27 GMT -5
What are nowokies. I wrote sell COOKIES!!!!
F R
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Post by inquisitive on Oct 31, 2006 17:28:43 GMT -5
FR said "Wouldn't be so bad if they were just asking." Who are you talking about, the Hasidim? They aren't just asking? Because if they aren't then they are probably breaking other laws and this no-knock ordinance is moot anyway.
If you are getting strong-armed by the girl scouts, then you should slowly reach into your pocket, without making any sudden movements, and hand them your money. It is much safer that way. They usually go away after that.
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Post by admin on Oct 31, 2006 17:48:32 GMT -5
I have to disagree with the Councilman from Tinton Falls. This issue has nothing to do with freedom of speech. No person has freedom of speech on another's door step. Freedom of speech is a right and protection against government infringement. I do not have any freedom of speech rights on my neighbors property. I really do not have many rights on my neighbor's property.
This ordinance is not an assault on democracy. It is a common sense measure that many town employ that does have safety and quality of life in mind. Any person who disagrees simply has to keep their name off of the no knock list.
Although many will disagree, including myself at times, many rights are regulated. Freedom of speech is regulated. Freedom to bear arms is way over regulated. Just two examples. But, again, the no knock ordinance is not an infringement of speech.
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Post by admin on Oct 31, 2006 17:50:53 GMT -5
What are nowokies. I wrote sell COOKIES!!!! F R The censorship feature in this board had nothing to do with this. I have yet to find a way to use cookies as a bad word. just give me some time. ;D |
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Post by Freehold Resident on Oct 31, 2006 17:53:51 GMT -5
LOL!!!
I know some Girls Scouts who looked pretty scary. They still do, now grown up.
We really need this ordinance, but we should find out about the girl scouts. I think they are a charitable, non profit association??? They may be safe.
F R
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Post by admin on Oct 31, 2006 18:02:46 GMT -5
As an after thought. When I first heard about people going door to door trying to get others to sell their homes, I found that very odd. After a little thought, it is down right disturbing. Selling ones home is a big choice. I can not see any one just saying " I'm sold". Anyone who would go door to door for this purpose is suspect. It really is not normal. I can see that it would not be a stretch for this to become intimidating very quickly.
In light of the slum lords and suspected block busting occurring in some towns, an ordinance like this makes sense. It is one piece of the puzzle in combating deviant behavior. A governing body that does not recognize this would be negligent in protecting the well being of the very people who elected them. And who says this is a threat to democracy?
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Post by fedup on Oct 31, 2006 21:57:16 GMT -5
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Post by fedup on Oct 31, 2006 22:03:41 GMT -5
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Post by admin on Nov 1, 2006 6:02:44 GMT -5
Another view.
Try to think about this from different angles. If I were a door to door sales person, I would welcome a no knock list. When I was a teen, I did do some door to door work. The way I look at it, if people are on the list, it would save me time and I would not have to waste my time with people who are not going to buy anything any way. This list does have an advantage for all parties.
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Post by Joe McHouseBuilder on Nov 1, 2006 8:48:11 GMT -5
How about if resident can tailor who can come to their door. I want to be on the cookie sales list and Green Party political list, but not on the ecyclopedia sales list or Mormon door-to-door list.
I know a woman who drove down the street, saw a delapidated house and asked the owner if he wanted to sell it. Guess what? he did and she got a great deal. She cleaned up the house and sold it for a profit. Is what she did bad?
I also know contractors that do the same thing. They will go to a delapidated home and ask the owners if they want to sell it. Or they found out who owns a vacant lot and drive to the homeowners address. Letters are informal, and many people do business this way. Many people want a firm handshake and to look the person in the eye.
These are not slum lords, but they will be prevented from conducting business that they would not normally be able to conduct otherwise.
This is just another silly feel-good ordinance. Congratulations for talking yourselfs into thinking that this a good thing.
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Post by Freehold Resident on Nov 1, 2006 20:25:32 GMT -5
This was on the 101.5 the other day and most of the callers and Jim Gearheart thought it was a great thing. A few people that called in had this in their towns and appreciated it. The township has it and people there seem to be ok with it. If they have such a perfect little Republican town over there, why is it so bad for the Borough to have it here too?
If people don't want anyone knocking on their door to annoy them, why not publish a no-knock list? Let's see how man people sign up after it's announced. Do you also think the government's No Call list is also a "silly feel good" law? If you really think so, you can have all the annoying phone calls we used to get during dinner. When you are done with that you can come over to my house and talk to some cheap suit pushing us to sell out to him before its too late.
There's alot of bad Karma on this site. People with all sorts of silly names are coming out of the woodwork. I think they are all the same person looking to piss people off. All of a sudden it seems like everything the town is trying to do is being criticized. I smell a rat around election time.
F R
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Post by Socrates on Nov 2, 2006 9:36:49 GMT -5
All that I know is that I know nothing.
Oh, and a few other things...
(1) the postings are not some little election time trick. So the only rat is me, no one else - and I am not running for anything, nor do I know the republican candidate.
(2) I also know that the govt that governs the least, governs the best. This is not the do-not-call list. When was the last time you had someone knock at your door trying to sell you something. I know when I was a kid, I had to sell boosters and stuff like that for school. I also have bought girl scout cookies, and I do know a few contractors (I am not one) that have gotten properties this way. What is the harm? Just say no and they go away. This is not a pervasive problem.
(3) we should not pass over-reaching ordinances to combat a single person - some Lakewood Jewish people looking to buy houses. Everyone gets those letters in the mail from Trenton about selling homes - what do you do with them? Throw them out. What would you do if a man with a yarmickle comes to your house asking to buy it - I assume you would say "take off." C'mon, there is no other reason for this silly ordinance.
(4) can we make it retroactive to go after those nasty trick-or-treaters? I felt threatened by them - they told me that if I would not give them candy, they would play a trick on me. So I had to give them candy.
C'mon folks. Don't pass laws just for the sake of passing them. Don't pass an over-reaching law just to get a few Lakewood slum-lords. If code enforcement is so da^^ great, then we don't need this law. We can enforce our existing laws (handing out penalties instead of pleas), and still combat the problem. Don't give in to more laws, ordinances, etc. It's not the (American) way.
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Post by Freehold Resident on Nov 2, 2006 9:52:10 GMT -5
Socrates:
Ah... Publius...welcome back! Knew it was you as soon as you started to preach Libertarian. I respect your views. Really. But, I also understand you quit as committee chair of the group supposed to fight off slumlords. There you could have made the kind of difference with code enforcement you are preaching to us about.
I'm still behind the No Knock ord. even if it causes only one slumlord to walk away from a house he wants to buy and trash. Freehold can only be helped if we use lots of things to win. This one may not be the end all, but together with the other stuff it sends the right message - don't make pooh-pooh on us.
I gotta go. I have an interview up in Bedminster. If I get the job, I just may have to move up there. Don't you just hate 287?
F R
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Post by congrats on Nov 2, 2006 12:20:38 GMT -5
you have just outed an innocent man (there must be a similar movie quote - but sorry can't think of one)
well, I guess this issue has been beat to death. As Tinton Falls coucilman has hinted at, It'll be an issue for the courts to solve.
BTW, no one liked the trick or treaters comment? I thought it was nice and timely - oh yeah, goodby Christmas carollers, so long Santa, the Easter Bunny, the tooth fairy and the Great Pumpkin.
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Post by admin on Nov 2, 2006 12:45:05 GMT -5
Socrates: Ah... Publius...welcome back! Knew it was you as soon as you started to preach Libertarian. I respect your views. Really. But, I also understand you quit as committee chair of the group supposed to fight off slumlords. There you could have made the kind of difference with code enforcement you are preaching to us about. I'm still behind the No Knock ord. even if it causes only one slumlord to walk away from a house he wants to buy and trash. Freehold can only be helped if we use lots of things to win. This one may not be the end all, but together with the other stuff it sends the right message - don't make pooh-pooh on us. I gotta go. I have an interview up in Bedminster. If I get the job, I just may have to move up there. Don't you just hate 287? F R Freehold resident, You would be well advised against naming names unless you are one hundred percent positive. Some people know who Publius was and unfounded accusations, or giving credit where it is not due could very well do an innocent person some harm. Just be carefull. I see that you are a supporter of Marc Levine by many of your posts. Do not worry about defending him, he is a big boy and can take care of himself. As a public person, I am sure that he has quite a thick skin by now. [glow=red,2,300]Message to Sock puppet, [/glow] Chill out. You are doing a good job of bringing in some challenging view points but the hostility toward others would not be missed. There is no need to create a war here, not with the people who are on your side. Even if you do disagree with them at times. I know that you are new here and you have spiced up a few things, just play nice. |
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Post by Freehold Resident on Nov 2, 2006 16:37:32 GMT -5
Brian:
You would know Publius from his IP, so if it is not him I'm really sorry. I guess I also let down the person who told me who Publius was, in confidence. It was just a slip. Wouldn't know him if I saw him in Shop Rite and he wouldn't know me unless he saw me with this other person he knows.
Whether I support Mr. Levine or not I didn't like the way this person was attacking from all sides and making it seem like there were a bunch of people doing it. I just think this man tries hard for the town and is willing to talk to us about what ever is going on and getting our opinions.
I happen to share an IP with someone else who posts on PEOPLE and I am still always Freehold Resident and the other person always uses one ID. You shouldn't let people post under more than one name, it is kind of misleading.
This is a really good site and I like adding interesting stuff to read. Maybe now we can all get back to being civil to each other. I'm for that.
F R
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Post by admin on Nov 2, 2006 17:05:41 GMT -5
FR,
Apology accepted. We all make errors, I know I have.
What you said about Mr. Levine is right. I think we are all blessed to have a town Councilman participating on this site. I do not agree with him all the time, but if I get into it, I will address ideas, not attack him. I have been fortunate enough to have met Marc on occasion, and he is a very good person, who I consider a ball of fire.
If the tone of this site goes down hill, we will lose people like Marc, Calliope, You and many others. That would be terrible. I would much rather go in the direction that attracts more good people, including our other elected Representatives.
BTW, FR, I was talking to another one of our members tonight, and that person shared my past desires to get yours and others to opine a little more. That person was very complimentary on the amount and the diversity of news that you post. You were mentioned! and no, I did not give up your identity.
The topic of one person using many names brings me to that person who I will now address. If you could whittle yourself down to about ten names, that would be great. I will admit, that you have some interesting ideas, but please try not to attack the good Councilman, or anyone else. You were out of line after a point. You really sounded like someone with an ax to grind. It is possible to get people thinking without being a skunk. Your points on the no knock ordinance were valid for example, but keep it sane.
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Post by Marc LeVine on Nov 3, 2006 14:30:39 GMT -5
Everyone -
I have requested that the second reading of the No-Knock solicitation ordinance vote be placed on hold for this upcoming week's council meeting, pending further discussion regarding a few adjustments and some additional clarification.
We listen and we hear. Thank you all for your input this past week. I am confident that many of your concerns will be addressed and we will soon have a solid No Knock ordinance that accomplishes all of its designed goals.
Marc
As an addendum to this, a neighbor on Enright Avenue just came by and informed me that a group of unlicensed solicitors, out of Brooklyn, NY, is currently canvassing the neighborhood on behalf of several stores in the area. She called the police, who immediately took care of the matter. The neighbor provided me with the retail advertising materials being handed out by these people and made it very clear that she does not want any salespeople coming to her door. She is waiting to get on the list, as soon as it is published.
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Post by Freehold Resident on Nov 3, 2006 21:05:07 GMT -5
If these are such "silly, feel good ordinances," why are other towns around the state adopting them? That guy was a troll.
Borough pushes door-to-door sales restrictions
Friday, November 3, 2006
By WALTER DAWKINS
STAFF WRITER
WOODCLIFF LAKE -- First there was "do not call." Now there is "do not knock."
The borough has drafted an ordinance that would allow residents to opt out of being solicited by door-to-door salespeople.
It's similar to the federal "do not call" law that stops unwanted telemarketing calls.
Residents fill out a form at Borough Hall that is distributed to the solicitors when they apply for a peddler license. All the addresses on this list, which is also given to the Police Department, are off limits to the door-to-door canvassers.
Companies that break the rules could be subject to a fine of up to $1,000 or imprisonment in the county jail for up to 90 days, or both.
"A lot of people don't like to be disturbed. It's the same rea- son that we have the don't-call law," said Councilman Paul Camella. "If you don't want to be disturbed at home, you shouldn't be."
Camella said he expects the council to pass the ordinance at the Nov. 8 meeting
Even though solicitors undergo background checks as part of the peddlers license process, Councilman Jeff Bader said that the ordinance, which doesn't apply to political or charity organizations, is also about safety.
"Residents are concerned when people knock on their door and they don't know who they are," said Bader, who came up with the idea for the law.
The township of Wayne passed a similar ordinance in 1999, and Teaneck has "do not knock" legislation on the books, but it applies only to real estate canvassers.
More than half a dozen municipalities in Ocean County have "do not knock" laws, a reaction to a 2004 murder of a 77-year-old Dover Township woman by magazine solicitor Azriel Bridge, who was sentenced in January to a 55-year jail term.
Woodcliff Lake resident Robert Boffa said the legislation is a good idea.
"I think that the residents are entitled to their privacy," Boffa said. "Salespeople are becoming more and more aggressive, and if they want to contact residents, they certainly can do it by U.S. mail."
E-mail: dawkins@northjersey.com
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Post by admin on Nov 4, 2006 11:26:55 GMT -5
Although the tone on this thread has gone a bit south, I have to admit it has all got me thinking and re-evaluating my own views. I have often been very critical of government over- regulation. It is not a stretch to add " No Knock Ordinance" to the runny egg thread. But, for selfish reasons, I do still support a no knock list. I despise unannounced visitors. When I have one, the first thing I do is contain my own hostility toward that person. I will be one of the first on the list, make no mistake. Our own hostile visitor, with many names, has brought up valid views, though. That is what debate should be about. I like the diversity of opinions. I hope the final ordinance is one that purely takes the privacy and safety of residents in mind. I can respect others views that have concerns about an ordinance that is hostile toward business and other groups that are just doing their thing. Either way, for me to support this ordinance is out of character for me. For that reason, I am a self admitted hypocrite.  On a lighter note, One of our fine participants emailed me the other day. That person dubbed our multi named guest " Mr. Sybil". I thought it quite fitting and comical. Thought I would share that gem. ;D |
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Post by Libyan Sybil on Nov 6, 2006 7:24:14 GMT -5
If other towns tailor it specifically to real estate solicitors - knock yourselves out (pun intended). Otherwise, it is overly broad. My poor chinese delivery guy will only be able to deliver to my house and not be able to hang a menu on anyone else's door - because then someone will call the police and fine him $1,250.
But to address Freehold Resident - do you really think a no knock ordinance will prevent a door-to-door killer. Once you open the door to check that person's credentials - boom, you are dead. (remember, the ordinance merely tells people to get permission first, it does not put an end to all door to door solicitors.)
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