Freeloading at Traffic LightsYesterday I was on my way to Publix and came to the 220 - Town Center traffic light. There were people with buckets in hand "collecting" money for a team championship trip of some kind. I can understand this kind of "collection" of funds for things like "Fill the Boot" for MS and the like for charity, but for a "fundraiser" for a sports team? When my kid played sports and needed "travel monies", we either footed the bill as parents or raised money with car washes. We never expected to just be handed any money, especially from strangers who have no idea what they're being asked to give to. Yes, those collecting carried newspaper articles with their team's picture on it, but some people who don't have the time to stop and ask more questions may just whip out a dollar when they see someone collecting thinking its going for a "medical" cure type collection or real charity drives. The light only stays red for so long. I say, go and WORK for the monies needed. Don't expet a free ride from people and delay heavy traffic areas. You chose to have your child participate in a team sport, therefore, it is your responsibility to pay or to raise funds through working for it, not by having Clay County residents foot the bill. Submitted by janie on Sun, 06/17/2007 - 2:49pm.
I agree that soliciting funds at intersections is a bad idea and consider this to be a roadside hazard. The Commissioners thought so too. They changed the ordinance to stop this roadside collection because of the problems and to protect the citizens. The Firefighters protested that ordinance. So they changed it again to allow the Firefighters to be able to collect money but had to allow citizens with permits to collect money to avoid conflicts with the righs of the citizens. I would agree this is a distraction that needs to stopped but it would need to include everyone to be a sound policy that did not discriminate against the citizens. If it is good for one group of people it has to be good for all groups. So unless they are willing to include all then we will have to put up with these groups that use roadside collections as a means of collecting money. Submitted by Sunflower on Sat, 04/26/2008 - 9:54pm.
When I moved to Florida, one of the really annoying and astonishing things to put up with on the commute to work from OP to Jax (now the worst in the State), was all those people gathered with election signs on every corner with a major traffic signal. They get right in your face with their handwaving and basic idiocies and are hugely distracting. No matter what my political beliefs, they are a major turnoff! If I had to do that again (the commute forced me to change my lifestyle), I would have a sign laying next to me so I could respond in my own way. It would likely be something sarcastic that they wouldn't understand anyway, but it would make me feel better. I might do that anyway as I often drive to Jax for other reasons. Once there was a guy at Kingsley and 17 that held up a sign to legalize pot. Now THAT I can understand. Kumbaya, Link to petition to eliminate 2 at-large seats: http://24.23.126.8/Petition.pdf
Submitted by jimmaxie on Sat, 04/26/2008 - 10:29pm.
The pot waving sign guy was at the corner of 220 and College two weekends ago!!! Everyone must have a dream Submitted by Angela on Sun, 04/27/2008 - 8:26am.
I've seen this guy too. His sign said legalize marijana not illegal immigrants. I think he may be on to something here. Submitted by Grizelda on Sun, 04/27/2008 - 9:28am.
NO solicitors should be allowed in the roadway, INCLUDING FIREFIGHTERS. They should be required to raise funds just as any other organization. Roadway solicitation is dangerous and puts them and others at peril. People are talking about ...Here are the recent blog postings with the most comments. |
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Doc, believe it or not I agree with you! I think ANY fundraisers at traffic lights other then the Firefighters is a safety risk, and to start allowing anyone and everyone trying to raise money to hang out at intersections is eventually going to lead to someone getting hurt or killed.
I also agree that just soliciting for funds, the "give me money" mentality doesn't provide much of a learning experience other then how to panhandle.