Sanford allows use of city logo on homeless information card

Sanford allows use of city logo on homeless information card
by Rachel Delinski, Herald Staff

Sanford commissioners this week gave permission to a social-service agency to print the city’s logo on a homeless information card that a group wants to hand out.

Commissioners last week were set to deny the request after a discussion during a work session determined the logo’s use may create somewhat of a liability for the city. Staffers recommended the city deny the use of the logo because the card was not financially sponsored by the city.

In anticipation of their decision, Trace Trylko, chairman of the Seminole Action Coalition – Serving Our Needy, requested that the commission continue the item until he was given a chance to make a formal presentation. The commission agreed, and allowed SACSON time to prepare a presentation on why the city should allow use of the logo.

The card lists information important to homeless people in the community: lodging and counseling, healthcare, clothing, utility assistance and food or meals.

Bettie Sonnenberg, a member of SACSON working to produce the cards, said in a previous interview with the Herald, “It would be nice if we could have the logo because it would show that there is some sort of support to break that cycle of homelessness.”

Trylko argued the same position during his presentation.

“Yes, this project can and will go forward, with or without that logo,” he said. “The bigger point is this community coming together behind a pro-active project that begins to address the growing number of homeless people in our community.”

But commissioners indicated they had already made their minds up. Assistant city attorney Lonnie Groot suggested during last week’s discussion that the commission should not allow use of the logo. Commissioner Jack Bridges even told Trylko he would not approve the logo use.

“I like to vote on facts, not emotions. If you ever see a statue of Lady Justice she is blindfolded. She’s not supposed to see emotions. She’s supposed to see facts,” he said. “Tell me why the city’s logo on this card is going to make a difference.”

Trylko responded: “I think the fact is the city’s logo on this card would send a clear message to this community that the city leaders, such as yourself, are interested in working with the community to address the issue of homelessness.”

Trylko also turned around Bridges’ request for “facts,” asking what the commission had done to help the homelessness issue in Sanford. No response was given to his question.

Bridges argued that it was the moral and emotional duty of the commission to provide information to the homeless, but it was not a factual requirement.

Trylko said: “It could be argued that a role of government is the dissemination of information to its citizens.”

Throughout the discussion, Bridges also said use of the logo by an unsponsored entity would set a precedent, and the city may have to allow others to use it from now on. Trylko suggested the city may not be as concerned about precedent as stated, citing the city’s sponsorship of Hopper Academy for $7,500 just two weeks ago. He said if the commission was really concerned about precedent, then SACSON should receive a sponsorship also.

After much discussion, Mayor Linda Kuhn suggested the commissioners grant use of the logo, but only for a temporary period. After that period, SACSON would need to come back to the commission and give another presentation about the success of the card.

Commissioner Velma Williams said she agreed with this approach because while she did not believe the commission had an obligation to help the homeless directly, she did think commissioners should support organizations that are helping the homeless.

Commissioner Art Woodruff agreed, and suggested the commission grant use for one year, or to print up to 1,000 cards, whichever comes first. The group would have to make another request to continue using the logo.

Even Bridges, who said he would vote against the idea, said he could work with the compromise.

Despite the commission’s initial hesitation, all approved the item under the terms of the compromise, allowing the use of the city’s logo on SACSON’s information card.

ID program helps provide dignity to 150

by Rachel Delinski, Herald Staff

Teresa Butler just learned how to correctly spell her name.

For years, Butler had no form of identification so she always spelled her name as Theresa, with an H. But thanks to an IDignity event held Thursday at the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Sanford, Teresa for the first time was able to get a copy of her birth certificate, a Florida ID card and Social Security card, all at the same place in one day for free.

From the new identification, determined through a computer check of birth records, she found out her name was spelled Teresa. “It’s a blessing I could do this,” said Butler.

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Community-action group designs help card for Sanford’s homeless

by Rachel Delinski, Herald Staff

City debates whether to allow logo on information card

A group making information cards to help the homeless is requesting the use of Sanford’s logo to put on the cards – but city staffers have recommended commissioners deny the use because the publication is not endorsed or sponsored by the city.

The Seminole Action Coalition – Serving Our Needy (SACSON) is hoping the cards will help homeless men and women find the resources they need.

The card includes names, addresses and phone numbers for different charitable organizations that provide lodging, counseling, food, clothing, healthcare and meals in Sanford. The card includes a map of Sanford with numbered locations where free meals are served.

SACSON members hope that by distributing the cards to the homeless, they may be able to get help. Additionally, they intend to give the cards to business owners who can pass them out to panhandlers, rather than giving money.

SACSON representative Betty Sonnenberg said, “We definitely are giving them [cards] out to businesses so people don’t give out money.”

The card also has dates and times for the group’s IDignity event, which provides identification for the poor. Those in need can receive a Social Security card, birth certificate, or Florida ID during the event, which will be held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at

St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 813 Pine Ave.

The Sanford group, SACSON, operates IDignity as a franchise of the original event, IDignity of Orlando. Sanford’s IDignity takes place every three months; the Orlando event is held monthly.

Sonnenberg said the idea for the information card came from the Orlando group. For the Orlando card, Sonnenberg said the group teamed up with the city.

As part of the partnership, IDignity of Orlando was able to use Orlando’s logo on their information card.

However, a Sanford city commission memorandum released this week stated: “While this appears to be a very worthwhile service we may not want to give the impression that this or other publications are funded or endorsed by the City.”

Sonnenberg, who already printed 500 copies of the cards with a city logo, said it won’t be a problem if the city denies their request.

“This will not take away from the cause,” she said. “But it would be nice if we could have the logo because it would show that there is some sort of support to break that cycle of homelessness.”

Sonnenberg said SACSON is not trying to encourage homelessness in Sanford.

Rather, the group aims to match the needy with the necessary resources to maintain a normal life.

“We’re not trying to encourage homelessness,” she said. “We’re trying to eliminate it.”

Sanford commissioners will discuss the request during Monday’s work session at 4 p.m. Later that day commissioners will vote on the request during the evening meeting held at 7 p.m.

City may jail ‘aggressive panhandlers’

City may jail ‘aggressive panhandlers’
by Rachel Delinski, Herald Staff

“Aggressive panhandling” soon could be a violation of city codes, resulting in a fine of up to $500 and 60 days in jail.

Sanford commissioners discussed the ordinance Monday. In January, Sanford resident Virgil Hurley came before the commissioners several times urging them to do something about the panhandling issue downtown. Hurley claimed it was becoming unsafe for merchants and customers at night because of the problem.

Since then, Assistant City Attorney Lonnie Groot has worked to accurately define the term “aggressive panhandling” in an effort to clarify what would constitute an arrestable offense.

Working with Commissioner Art Woodruff, Groot based the ordinance on one currently being used in Minneapolis.

During Monday’s work session, commissioners reviewed a draft ordinance in which the term the offense is defined as: “Aggressive solicitation is disturbing and disruptive to residents and businesses and contributes to the loss of access to and enjoyment of public places and to a sense of fear, intimidation and disorder.”

The ordinance goes on to say aggressive begging includes approaching or following pedestrians, repetitive solicitation despite refusal, using profane language to cause fear, unwanted physical contact or the intentional blocking of pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

Chief Brian Tooley said: “If someone is clenching their fist and implying ‘Give me some money or else,’ we want to make sure we’re on strong legal grounds to address that.”

In addition to defining the term, the ordinance also creates a way for business owners to keep panhandlers off of their property for good. According to the draft, any public or private property may post a sign that reads, “No panhandling permitted – Prohibited by Sanford city code.” This sign will be, as the ordinance states, “conclusive proof” that panhandling is not allowed on the property.

Tooley said, “This addresses certain areas like public gathering spots and even public rooms in private buildings. People can post a sign to prohibit panhandling on private property also.”

This ordinance will work to strengthen an existing ordinance about begging on public right of ways. Currently, begging on a public right of way, such as holding a sign at a traffic intersection, requires a permit from the city.

Tooley said he expects someone violating the ordinance will be cited with a violation of city codes. The penalty for such an infraction is usually a maximum fine of $500 or 60 days in jail.

He said he expects the violation will be an arrestable offense.

“We had some panhandling complaints in the past, but it isn’t a big problem right now,” said Tooley. “But, as we move into cooler weather we typically see more homeless downtown.”

Because commissioners requested no modifications to the draft Monday, the ordinance will likely be up for approval within 30 days.

In addition to the panhandling ordinance, Groot is also working to draft an ordinance on loitering, which was requested by Mayor Linda Kuhn.