The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Secondhand dealers could face city regulation

AK Steel to raise prices for carbon steel
10:41 a.m.
State jobless rate jumps to 10.5 percent
10:12 p.m.
Waste gas could power Middletown Works
11/20/09
FAA: Cause of flight delays has been cleared up
11/19/09
Computer glitch delaying flights
11/19/09
> More headlines

By Ed Richter, Staff Writer Updated 7:50 AM Wednesday, July 22, 2009

MIDDLETOWN — Secondhand dealers and swap shops may soon be under city regulation.

A draft ordinance to regulate secondhand dealers and swap shops was shared with Middletown City Council at its Tuesday, July 21, meeting. It was the result of a city task force established in May by City Manager Judy Gilleland in an effort to ensure these businesses are reputable and are not adding to the city’s crime rate.

Law Director Les Landen said the draft ordinance, which was modeled after Hamilton’s ordinance, would cover all secondhand items such as appliances, furniture, lawn equipment, bicycles, precious metals, jewels, currency and electronic devices.

Landen said it would require a $100 annual license and criminal record check. It also would require a daily transaction record and identification of sellers with all records being provided to police, he said.

The businesses would only be allowed to be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and any advertising must indicate the merchandise is secondhand, Landen said.

Councilwoman Anita Scott Jones expressed concerns about requiring the true owner of stolen property to reimburse the dealer for the amount paid for the stolen article.

The draft ordinance would not apply to pawn shops because they are regulated by state law, he said.

It also would not apply to garage or yard sales, motor vehicles, DVDs and CDs, charitable sales for charitable organizations, consignment shops, junkyards, estate sales or auctions or businesses that exclusively deal in antiques, secondhand clothes or secondhand furniture.

City Council will be reviewing the draft before it returns for consideration.

Detachment request

Resident Todd Bailey and several other residents from the Bridgewood Villas subdivision who are seeking to detach their properties from the city attended Tuesday’s meeting to hear an update on the request.

Bailey said the residents have submitted paperwork but have since learned it is not sufficient. He asked Landen for clarification on what is still needed and said the residents are “willing to take the next step.”

Landen said he has talked with the Warren County Commission office and said when that office advises the city that they have received the valid petitions and map, the process can move forward.

Landen said City Council eventually will vote on the matter.

Share this article

ADD COMMENT

Comments feed

Though I am not familiar specifically with why the city would want an ordinance like this, it seems like a good step to me. If these secondhand dealers and swap shops are known to be operated by criminal elements then it is in the city's best interest to regulate them and not permit those people who contribute to crime in the city to run them.

Voice of Reason
1:50 PM, 7/22/2009

REPORT ABUSE

Here the city is dieing and there going after the lil guys. Your doing nothing but running people out of town. Why dont all of you just resign and let some smart people take over.

Keith
10:27 AM, 7/22/2009

REPORT ABUSE

Anita Scott Jones is the only council member with a brain and commmon sense! Attny. Les has less common sense than a tree branch. How can there be any clause requiring the true owner to pay a second price to get his stuff back(Did he ask someone to steal it?)?

Ralph Mouth
8:56 AM, 7/22/2009

REPORT ABUSE

I see our city leaders is only after the lttle guy again. Anyway to get money into their grubby pockets, screw the business persons, whther they are second hand or others. Do they go after Goodwill, Salvation Army and others. Will they soon come to your garage/yard sales. WE need to protest this, and remember vote these people out this year, start new and have people there who are for the people and not themselves

rls
8:38 AM, 7/22/2009

REPORT ABUSE

We welcome your comments. Please remember this is a public forum and behave appropriately. Your comments must conform to our visitor's agreement.