Update: On October 15th, the Cookeville City Council voted unanimously to deny the panhandling ordinance.
On Thursday, September 17, the Cookeville City Council will vote on an ordinance to prohibit panhandling in designated locations, with violations punishable by fines. The UUCC has issued the following statement.
UUCC-Panhandling-Statement-Final-SignedMinister Deanna Lack will read this statement at the public hearing scheduled for Thursday, September 17 at 5:30 Pm at the Cookeville Performing Arts Center. The hearing will be open to the public and can be streamed online.
I thought it was odd they wanted to fine a homeless person who was trying to get handouts. If they are that destitute, how, imposing a fine, will that help them…and what happens if they can’t pay. They need to find another option for someone who is try in dire straits.