New city drug dealer ban

Drug dealers have 10 days to clean up their acts, or at least not be
convicted of more offenses, because City Council on Monday passed a new
landlord-tenant ordinance that will ban them from living in city limits
for at least seven years.

During Monday’s meeting a last-minute change to the ordinance had
council add that if a person is convicted of selling drugs in the city,
they will be banned from renting in Sunbury for a period of 84 months
before they can reapply.

“I’m happy this passed,” Mayor David Persing said. “I am not in favor
of the seven-year addition, but I am happy this part passed.”

Council voted 3-1, with Councilman Todd Snyder, Jim Eister and Persing
voting for the ordinance. Councilman Joe Bartello was the dissenting
vote. Councilman Kevin Troup was absent.

“This sends a clear message to drug dealers that they are not welcome
in the city,” Snyder said. “We will continue to work with law
enforcement and the code office to make sure we protect the residents of
Sunbury.”

The new ordinance will take effect in 10 days, and anyone arrested and
convicted after Aug. 24 will be subject to the new ordinance.

Initially, the ordinance was going to give convicted drug dealers up to
three chances to stay clean, but Persing objected to having city
workers make criminal records checks.

“Once we find out a person has been arrested, the landlord will be
notified,” Persing said. “If that person is convicted of selling drugs,
they will then have 10 days to leave the unit.”

Sunbury also will now require that a manager be designated to any
rental property. Persing said the manager or owner must live within 25
miles of the city and be available in case of emergency. Each owner or
manager will now be required to provide a list to the code office with
names and addresses of current tenants over 18

Seems a bit drastic,why not burn them at stake. Is this really what we have come to? Why not ban the buyers, without buyers your sellers will go elsewhere, BAN the users TOO. why discriminate?

We have the problem with repeat dealers. Same guys.

They even sell in the school yard.