Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Weather
Sidewalk Sitting Ordinance Comes Before Assembly AgainSullivan’s legislation passes the assembly, but not without dissentRelated Content
To ban or not to ban sitting or sleeping on downtown sidewalks was the big issue before the Anchorage Assembly Tuesday night. Round two of Mayor Dan Sullivan’s ordinance passed 7 to 4 but not before it was met with some resistance as the public weighed in.
Both sides say the sidewalk ordinance has everything to do with rights. But it depends on who you talk too to see whose rights may be taken away. Mayor Sullivan says they're sidewalks not side blocks and he says it's time to define what's acceptable in our public areas downtown. “A sidewalk is meant for the free flow of pedestrian traffic.” “A lot of folks go to work early and again we often times have events downtown.” What the mayor is talking about is safety for people and their activities. He says that's been threatened with the actions of protesters like convicted sex offender John Martin who has been camping out in front of city hall for close to six months. “The downtown partnership the director actually saw somebody trip over John Martin, as they were reading a map, trying to figure out where to go downtown and literally stumbled over him, that's not right,” said Sullivan. But critics say it's about the rights of the people. “Its okay to protest as long as you’re not protesting the mayor,” said Martin who testified at Tuesday’s Assembly meeting. “It infringes on people's right to free speech, and freedom of assembly,” said Joshua Tucker who is part of the Occupy Anchorage group who is worried their first amendment rights will be taken away. They have been protesting in front of Town Square and say the mayor is going after them. “There is so many more concerns out there to actually help the homeless community and the community of Anchorage as a whole,” said Tucker. “I don't see why the mayor has to target the least amongst us.” A reason they teamed up with the Title 21 No More Compromises group to speak out about a new law that is proposed to help that they say isn’t necessary. “A lot of times people that are sitting down or lying down on the street when they see an officer come by they will get up and move sit down somewhere else, so its completely inefficient,” said Tina Robinson, who is part of the Occupy Anchorage group. And while city leaders give mixed reviews on it, the question on how effective the ban will actually be is yet to be determined. “If its good for downtown business district why don't you expand it citywide,” said Anchorage Assembly member Dick Traini. “Similar ordinances have been passed throughout the country, they withstood court challenge,” said Assembly Chair Debbie Ossiander. Despite the controversy over this ordinance, the mayor and the Occupy Anchorage group which now includes John Martin did come up with a compromise. They were given a permit on the park strip on 10th and I to camp for a week, so the city can use Town Square and surrounding sidewalks for upcoming events like the tree lighting ceremony. Chief Mark Mew testified and he said while its not something they would use every day, having the sidewalk ordinance will help them do the right thing when its appropriate. |
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled.
Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
|
You have indicated this comment should be removed.
The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .
akgirl said on Friday, Dec 2 at 10:04 AM
This ordinance is so ridiculous. All this is is Mayor Sullivan trying to get his way, he doesnt like this guy protesting and is trying to find a way to stop someones first amendment right.....
77801167JAIL THE JERK said on Friday, Dec 16 at 3:52 PM
The first admendment is not for loosers to become gutter garbage on public side walks.The bums who protest, are entitlement seekers. They want to be taken care of by the tax payer.Let tehm protest 8-5 like the hard working tax payer and get the HE-- off the side walks there after.Side walks are for 'WALKING" FREE FLOWING NOT for dumb butts that are trying to plug up traffic!!!If he wants ot protest, go to New YOrk and hang out in the parks with all the other local druggie-trash!
78556316Add a comment
Most Popular