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From today’s edition of The Sanford Herald:

Sanford allows use of city logo on homeless information card
by Rachel Delinski, Herald Staff
1 hr 55 mins ago | 1 views | 0 0 comments | 2 1 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Sanford commissioners this week gave permission to a social-service agency to print the city’s logo on a homeless information card that a group wants to hand out.

Commissioners last week were set to deny the request after a discussion during a work session determined the logo’s use may create somewhat of a liability for the city. Staffers recommended the city deny the use of the logo because the card was not financially sponsored by the city.

In anticipation of their decision, Trace Trylko, chairman of the Seminole Action Coalition – Serving Our Needy, requested that the commission continue the item until he was given a chance to make a formal presentation. The commission agreed, and allowed SACSON time to prepare a presentation on why the city should allow use of the logo.

The card lists information important to homeless people in the community: lodging and counseling, healthcare, clothing, utility assistance and food or meals.

Bettie Sonnenberg, a member of SACSON working to produce the cards, said in a previous interview with the Herald, “It would be nice if we could have the logo because it would show that there is some sort of support to break that cycle of homelessness.”

Trylko argued the same position during his presentation.

“Yes, this project can and will go forward, with or without that logo,” he said. “The bigger point is this community coming together behind a pro-active project that begins to address the growing number of homeless people in our community.”

But commissioners indicated they had already made their minds up. Assistant city attorney Lonnie Groot suggested during last week’s discussion that the commission should not allow use of the logo. Commissioner Jack Bridges even told Trylko he would not approve the logo use.

“I like to vote on facts, not emotions. If you ever see a statue of Lady Justice she is blindfolded. She’s not supposed to see emotions. She’s supposed to see facts,” he said. “Tell me why the city’s logo on this card is going to make a difference.”

Trylko responded: “I think the fact is the city’s logo on this card would send a clear message to this community that the city leaders, such as yourself, are interested in working with the community to address the issue of homelessness.”

Trylko also turned around Bridges’ request for “facts,” asking what the commission had done to help the homelessness issue in Sanford. No response was given to his question.

Bridges argued that it was the moral and emotional duty of the commission to provide information to the homeless, but it was not a factual requirement.

Trylko said: “It could be argued that a role of government is the dissemination of information to its citizens.”

Throughout the discussion, Bridges also said use of the logo by an unsponsored entity would set a precedent, and the city may have to allow others to use it from now on. Trylko suggested the city may not be as concerned about precedent as stated, citing the city’s sponsorship of Hopper Academy for $7,500 just two weeks ago. He said if the commission was really concerned about precedent, then SACSON should receive a sponsorship also.

After much discussion, Mayor Linda Kuhn suggested the commissioners grant use of the logo, but only for a temporary period. After that period, SACSON would need to come back to the commission and give another presentation about the success of the card.

Commissioner Velma Williams said she agreed with this approach because while she did not believe the commission had an obligation to help the homeless directly, she did think commissioners should support organizations that are helping the homeless.

Commissioner Art Woodruff agreed, and suggested the commission grant use for one year, or to print up to 1,000 cards, whichever comes first. The group would have to make another request to continue using the logo.

Even Bridges, who said he would vote against the idea, said he could work with the compromise.

Despite the commission’s initial hesitation, all approved the item under the terms of the compromise, allowing the use of the city’s logo on SACSON’s information card.