Metro Councilman Steve Glover has filed a bill that would ban the primary means by which vendors sell Nashville's homeless newspaper The Contributor.
The ordinance, which will appear on first reading at next Tuesday's council meeting, applies to the sale of "newspapers, magazines, periodicals or other such written items" and states that such items "shall not be handed to the occupant of any motor vehicle that is on a street or roadway, nor shall any action be taken that is intended or reasonably calculated to cause the vehicle occupant to hand anything to the person selling or distributing the materials.”
If that sounds familiar that's because it's the main way The Contributor is sold, by vendors who are either currently experiencing homelessness or were formerly living on the streets. It's not the only street newspaper in the city, but it's most well-known and well-regarded, with its mission of providing a job to its vendors as well as coverage for issues that affect them.
Glover's bill would make that mission much more difficult and Mayor Megan Barry is already opposing it.
The councilman's reasoning for the proposal is the same one raised by supporters of similar legislation that has arisen in Franklin and Goodlettsville in years past.
“The reason I’m doing it is for public safety issues," he tells Pith. "I almost hit somebody myself a couple of weeks ago that was out in the middle of the road going back and forth. I don’t care if they sell the papers, but they don’t need to be out in the middle of the road going car to car to car. It’s a danger issue for them, it’s a danger issue for my constituents, it’s the number one phone call that I get in the spring.”
Glover says representatives from The Contributor have already contacted him about the bill and that he plans to meet with them later this month.
Barry's office sent this statement from the mayor, outlining her opposition:
“The Contributor is a great way to help those individuals experiencing homelessness to start rebuilding their lives and get back on their feet while also providing a service to the people of Nashville. I don’t believe this legislation is necessary, and I hope that instead of limiting options for individuals experiencing homelessness, we can work together to expand opportunities for them to find a home, earn a living, and get the services and support needed to repair their lives.”
