City's new peddling ordinance makes for a bad deal

In the past, the Acorn has never hesitated to praise the City Council for its forward thinking and proactive approach to city governement. The five members' commitment to improving the quality of life here is undebatable.

Both the sign ordinance and the more recently adopted ban on cannabis clubs within city limits are two perfect examples of the council promptly identifying public nuisances and addressing them appropriately.

In the case of the marijuana dispensary ban, the pronouncement by Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton- just three weeks after Simi's new ordinance passed- that L.A. needs a moratorium of its own was further proof that the council's actions were ahead of the curve.

Unfortunately, on the issue of peddling on public streets, it seems the council has begun to undertake a detour all its own- and an alarming one at that.

The council has stated several reasons (listed below) why it believes the new ordinance, which will prohibit vendors- even those with all the legal permits- from selling products on public property, and requires those selling goods from motor vehicles to move the vehicles at least 500 feet every 10 minutes or face being cited and fined, is good for Simi Valley. The law takes effect March 12.

The panel cited public safety concerns related to traffic, property damage, littering, poor aesthetics and unfair competition for exisiting businesses. And the council has repeatedly made the point that vendors will still be free to sell their wares on private property if they can obtain the owner's permission.

The new law, plain and simple, won't make the city a better place to live.

Getting rid of the endless clutter of signs, and preventing improperly regulated cannibis clubs made sense. But a law that classifies a poor mother of four who wants to sell bouquets of flowers by the freeway as a lawbreaker? We don't think so.

Laws requiring street vendors to obtain proper business licenses (so they can pay taxes) and approval from the county health department (assuring food safety) are already in place. Why not enforce exisiting laws before enacting new ones?

Councilmember Steve Sojka said he hopes the antipeddling ordinance will "strike a balance." Instead, because of its obvious flaws, it has struck a chord.