Sean C. Morgan
Of The New Era
A new city ordinance prohibits second-hand stores from employing persons who have a felony on their record, with the exception of driving while a license is revoked, or a misdemeanor involving fraud, theft or deception in the last 15 years,.
The ordinance was adopted by the City Council on Feb. 28 to clarify its existing ordinance governing second-hand stores, Police Chief Bob Burford said.
It will permit those already employed to continue working for a second-hand store, Burford said, but any new owners or employees with felonies or specific types of misdemeanors will not be allowed to work in them.
“I just don’t think you need to have convicted felons involved in this type of business,” Burford said. The city has “two or three” licensed second-hand shops, he said.
The ordinance specifically singles out not only the owners, but the principal members of the organization, including operators, agents and employees who deal with the public concerning the buying, selling, trading or otherwise dealing in second-hand goods, City Attorney Robert Snyder said.