Board Permits Youth Club Solicitors to Conduct Door-to-Door Campaign

Trustees have allowed New York Youth Club, Inc. solicitors to conduct a door-to-door campaign within the village beginning March 10.

Before the board voted on the Feb. 21 consent calendar item, mayor Don Brudie suggested trustees prohibit the club's presence in the village on Saturday, May 26 (Memorial Day weekend) and Saturday, Sept. 1 (Labor Day weekend), both three-day weekends when many in Garden City will be vacationing to kick off and bid farewell, respectively, to summer.

"I don't think anyone wants solicitors in the village when many residents are away," he said.

The club was, however, granted access to the village on the following dates: March 10, April 28, July 7, Sept. 29, Dec. 1 and Dec. 8 between the hours of 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. (Invited call backs can take place only on Mondays through Fridays between 8 and 9 p.m.)

New York Youth Club, Inc., based out of Smithtown, was established to "keep teens off drugs, streets and out of trouble."

Those residents wishing not to be solicited can have their name placed on the village's "Do Not Solicit" list by filling out a Notice of Objection to non-Commercial Solicitations and Distributions.

Solicitors are presented with the Do Not Solicit list prior to conducting their door-to-door campaign to know what residences to avoid.

Police commissioner Ernest Cipullo also encouraged residents to call police if bothered by unwanted solicitors. Violators of the village ordinance are issued an appearance ticket and can get slapped with a maximum $250 fine.

"Have we ever had an organization barred?" trustee Dennis Donnelly asked. Village administrator Robert Schoelle didn't recall any offhand but noted that the village does keep track of the violations.

"If there were a significant number or a number of violations we would then make a recommendation to the board of trustees to not have them back," Schoelle said.

For more information about the Notice of Objection, call the Business Office at 465-4000 or visit www.gardencityny.net to download the notice.