Plans for homeless newspaper could circumvent panhandling ban

[The Straight Story]

Plans for homeless newspaper could circumvent panhandling ban

TAMPA --

Tampa's panhandling ban takes effect today, but the publisher of a community newspaper has a plan to give the homeless a legal way to continue making money on the city's street corners.

Bill Sharpe, publisher of the South Tampa Community News, plans to start publishing Tampa Epoch, a monthly newspaper about the homeless, in mid November. The homeless would sell the papers on street corners for $1.

The new city ordinance bans solicitations on city roads except on Sundays but exempts those selling newspapers.

Tampa City Councilman Frank Reddick said the homeless newspaper would circumvent the ordinance's intent. But assuming the Tampa Epoch meets the legal description of a newspaper, Reddick said, it would meet the ordinance's legal description and he would have no problem with Sharpe's plan.

Councilwoman Yvonne Capin said she likes the idea.

http://www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/2011/nov/01/plans-for-homeless-newspaper-could-circumvent-panh-ar-299675/

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Very cool!

:hi:

[grasswire]

2. Seattle and Portland each have those publications.

Homeless people are the sales reps, and sell them at locations all 'round town. Not only is it a source of income, but it's an advocacy platform.

[Luminous Animal]

3. So does San Francisco. It has some very good writing.

[Matariki]

4. Here's a link to Seattle's paper

It's pretty good.

http://www.realchangenews.org/

[madrchsod]

5. chicago has had one for years...

[pennylane100]

6. the great thing about this type of newspaper

is that allows the person selling it to keep his or her dignity while getting money. It does not feel like you are giving money to a panhandler, you are buying a product that they are selling. I like it.

[NBachers]

7. From an ex-Berkeley Barb salesman, I buy San Francisco's Street Sheet and it's got excellent writing

[FLyellowdog]

8. Nashville, TN has a similiar program...maybe Cool Springs. nt

[Downwinder]

9. What is "the legal description of a newspaper?"