HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem #23 - Personal AppearanceSTEP IBW CABBN, B80tIllt
012 BLsdayrie Bt id.ng
10 taett Biag1er Street
Miami, Florida 33130
April 140.075
p:W. Andrews., City Manager
City of Miami
3500 Pan Arerican Drive
p.O.- Box 330708
Miami, Florida 33133
Dear Mr. Andrews:
Thank you for your letter of March 31,1975. In accordance
with your request, I am stating the following essence of my plan-
ned presentation to the City Commission concerning the possible
change or repeal of Sections 30-28 and 40-4 of the City. Code which
pertains to peddlers.
Section 40-4 of the City. Code of Miami does not allow peddlers
to sell goods within 300 feet of an established business selling
the 'same class of goods. This ordinance is approximately fifty
(50) years old and in my opinion outdated for today'stimes. The
ordinance on its face has the City of Miami favoring one business
interest over another which in my opinion is not a proper function
for the City of Miami.
Just as important for your consideration is that peddling of
artisans and business people who do not have the capital or the de-
sire to own a store is a lawful occupation, and they should be able
to earn their livelihood unhampered. If peddlers are kept from
selling their goods where the stream of people are, the peddlers
are being prevented by the City of Miami from exercising a lawful
occupation.
Doing business by peddling is the oldest form of commercial
intercourse, and a substantial bulk of commercial transactions: in
this world today are still done by means of peddling. Peddling is
even common in countries having dictatorships as well as developed
countries throughout the world, and the City of Miami which takes
pride in the freedom of its citizens and is a part of a great coun-
zry which stands .For freedom throughout the world should as a conse-
quence guarantee no less freedom to peddlers.
The ity Of r ia1Tti Should recognize the younger generation
i
today f as Well as the artists, and the Crafts an are d .spOteti
to earn a living today by peddling, and that tnany'of this group
compose a largo segtetit oaf the population of cur unique beauffi
t .fu1 area Coconut troves In reCot ni'ting the character and con-
tri:bitiott of its inhabitants, the City of Miami with its httraii
tarian heart must recognize their needs.
I recommend that the City Commission repeal Sectit n 40-4 of
the City Code and that 1113 other Code be enacted in itg place un-
less the City' s experience iri the next twelve months will justify
another regulation.
Section 30-28 of the City Code of Miami requires the license
fee of ($184.50) for a peddler while an established store carry-
ing the same type of goods only has to pay a license fee of ($38.00)
I submit to the City Commission that the disparity of price
for a license fee for a peddler compared to an established store
shows a bias against the peddler.
It is a fact that many peddlers live from day to day and do,
not at one time have ($100.00) much less ($184.50) to pay a lic-
ense fee. Concern should be shown to our youth, our, artists and
craftsman who are industrious and honest and an asset to our com-
munity. Many are peddlers by choice. Many cannot obtain employ-
ment in other occupations in the community today. Many do not
have the capital to own an established store. Many do not have
($184.50) for a license fee to exercise a lawful occupation of
peddling their goods.
When the peddlers do not have ($184.50) for license fee,
the City by its high license fee is giving them a choice to starve
or to steal. If the City of Miami won't let a peddler, who does
not have the license fee, make a living under pain of arrest and
jail, then our fair city is saying to them starve or steal. I
don't think any of us want them to have to make that choice.
Considering the social necessities to an important segment
of our community, and considering that a license is mainly for
purposes of regulation and not for revenue, it is recommended`
that the City Commission lower the license fee for a peddler to
under ($100.00). It is also recommended that if any peddler does
not have the total amount at one time that he would be allowed to
pay the fee in installments of $10.00 a month or some other in-
stallment figure that the City Commission deems just.
In this manner eatery peddler Mould be encouraged to get
a license atd be within the put ieW of the law, and the City of
Mimi would be able to iegulate the peddlers from the increased
licenses that would be obtained. More important, an important
segment of our community Mould not be forced into crime to sup-
port themselves and their families because the City of Miami
wouldn't let then partake in a lawful occupation.
1 believe that the license fee installment plan for ped-
dlers world meet the needs of the City and the needs of the
citizens. We don't want people not being able to work today
because they do not have the license fee anymore than we Could
let people go to jail today because they don't have the fine.
Even the Courts will let the citizen fined pay in installments.
Yours sincerely,