By Mark Knapp
Citizen Reporter
Recommendation by the Charleston City Council’s Committee on Public Safety relating to tighter regulations on vendors of vacation timeshares and club memberships was wholly endorsed during the April 27 meeting.
Presumably, the amendments to the existing code will come to the City Council for a first reading at the next council meeting.
The new regulations define more strictly what vendors cannot do:
- Make deceptive or misleading statements;
- Sell in an aggressive manner such as causing any physical contact with persons on public streets;
- Block or interfere with the free passage of any person;
- Use profane or offensive language; or
- Persist in solicitation if the person has indicated no interest.
The amendments also more strictly define the nature of signs.
The words “vacation timeshare seller” or “vacation club membership seller” must be printed on a sign and clearly readable by the public.
The words “this business is not affiliated with the city of Charleston or the Charleston Visitor Reception and Transportation Center or Charleston Area Convention and Visitor Bureau” must also be printed and clearly visible.