Mayor’s Column

MAYOR’S COLUMN

 Several area towns are adopting “No Knock Ordinances.” Voorhees Township adopted such an ordinance in 2016 that allows our residents to control unwanted solicitation. The ordinance allows each resident to make an independent choice as to whether they choose to be canvassed or solicited at their home.

Voorhees Township requires anyone wishing to pedal or solicit door-to-door to first apply for and receive a license. The Township Clerk will issue the license after the application is reviewed by the Voorhees Township Police Department following a check of any criminal history. If approved, the peddler will be issued a license. Door-to-door solicitation is only allowed from 10a.m. to dusk.

Residents who choose not to be solicited can contact the Township Clerk at (856) 429-7757 or at www.clerk@voorheesnj.com  and obtain a no soliciting sticker that should be placed in an area that is visible to the public.

A solicitation license is not required for nonprofit organizations or any person campaigning for an elected public office or public question which will be voted upon in Voorhees in a general, special, primary or school board election. Although a solicitation license is not required for these individuals, they are required to carry a bona fide means of identification, including but not limited to a valid driver’s license or other government issued identification.

If a no soliciting sticker is visible on your property and a solicitor knocks on your door, let the police know so they can address the matter. Do not call 911; call the police nonemergency phone number, (856) 428-5400. Persons violating this ordinance are subject to a fine of not less than $100 or more than $1250. In addition, violators can be sentenced to jail for not more than 90 days or be assigned community service not to exceed 90 days.

** Spring Leaf Collection has begun. Dates for collection are available on the municipal website at www.voorheesnj.com and on our Voorhees Township Facebook page. Leaf collection is as follows: Tuesday trash day 4/8 – 4/12; Wednesday trash day 4/15 – 4/19; Thursday trash day 4/22 – 4/26; Friday trash day 4/29 – 5/3.

**The Voorhees Township Rabies Clinic will be held on Saturday, May 4 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Lions Lake Complex, 101 Dutchtown Road. County resident pet owners can bring their dog or cat for a free rabies vaccination and Voorhees residents can obtain their yearly license at the same time. The deadline to obtain a 2019 pet license is May 10. For more information call 856-429-7757 or visit, clerk@vooorheesnj.com.

**The Voorhees Police Foundation is holding its Fourth Annual Car Show on Saturday, May 4 from 8 a.m.to 1:30 p.m. in the rear parking area behind the AMC Cinemas Ritz 16 Plaza. Admission is free. The Voorhees Police Department Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to enhance public safety services through charitable gifts.

**The 11th Annual Alicia Rose Victorious 5k Run/Walk will be held on Sunday, May 19. Check in begins at 7:30 a.m. and the run/walk one-mile race will start at 9 a.m. The 5K race will start at 9:30a.m.at Virtua Hospital, 200 Bowman Dr. in Voorhees.  The cost is $30 for participants 19 and older and $15 for ages 5 to 18.  The ARVF installs Teen Lounges in hospitals throughout the world.