DRUG GEAR NOT WELCOME: MAYOR

Hay River Ponders New Way To Halt Vendors Of Drug Paraphernalia

HAY RIVER - The Town of Hay River is considering a new approach in its
attempt to stop roadside vendors of drug-related paraphernalia from
coming to the community. Originally, town council had wondered if
there was some way to ban just those particular travelling salespeople
from the town.

However, council discovered it could not legally do
so.

The town is now proposing to amend its business licence bylaw to
prevent all "canvassers, hawkers and peddlers" from setting up on town
property.

"What we're doing is shutting down town property," Mayor Kelly
Schofield said at the March 8 meeting of council.

Schofield noted the salespeople could still set up on private
property, but he hopes owners will take a stand against vendors of
drug-related paraphernalia.

"What we're doing is throwing the power to the people," he
said.

The proposed amendment to the bylaw, which will be again discussed at
council's regular meeting on March 22, would require vendors to obtain
written consent of private property owners to set up on their land.

Terry Molenkamp, the municipality's senior administrative officer,
told councillors that a lawyer has advised the town that it cannot
discriminate against vendors, but has every right to say where
businesses can go.

For example, Molenkamp noted Yellowknife prohibits vendors on some
city streets.

Coun. Andrew Cassidy wondered how such an amended bylaw would affect
Fisherman's Wharf, a popular summer tourist attraction where local
people sell crafts, food and other items.

"This will not affect the Fisherman's Wharf," Schofield said, noting
that site is controlled by the Hay River Harbour Authority.

Coun. Ken Latour asked how such a bylaw would impact businesspeople
who sell fish and meat from trucks.

Schofield noted most of those vendors already set up on private
property.

In February, Schofield raised the idea of stopping the sale of
marijuana flags, knives and various drug tools, such as pipes and
roach clips.

"We need to try to protect our kids," he said at that
time.

Schofield believes the items, which he described as immoral, promote
drug use and violence.

Each year, two or three vendors visit Hay River to sell such items in
parking lots and on the sides of roadways.

Travelling salespeople need a business licence to operate in Hay
River.

However, the existing business licence bylaw does not regulate the
types of businesses or the merchandise they can sell.