An ordinance to stop any alleged begging on the streets in Vandalia will stand. At their meeting on June 1st, the Vandalia City Council approved amending the City Municipal Code for Public Peace, Morals and Welfare and adding offenses against Public Peace and Decency. The part being added states “No person shall beg or solicit within the city limits except when acting as a representative of a recognized charitable organization.” But, at the meeting on Monday night, Ward Two Alderwoman Dorothy Crawford made a motion they reconsider the matter and fellow Ward Two Alderman Russ Stunkel seconded the matter to allow for discussion. Crawford said she had reconsidered and felt the ordinance they passed made poverty, or being poor, a crime. And, she also said she felt the ordinance told people where they could stand and what they could say. City Attorney Ryan Conner said the matter was made content neutral so that it would not get into any constitutional issues. Police Chief Jeff Ray just reminded the reason they brought it up was because they have received complaints from citizens. And, without this added, they had no way to stop it. A few in the audience also voiced their displeasure for the ordinance with audience member Linda Kinney saying this ordinance hurt the poor, mentally ill and the mentally challenged. Mayor Rick Gottman brought up the fact that there are many groups in the community that do offer help for the poor or challenged in such situations and Chief Ray said they have referred several to the Ministerial Alliance for assistance. After more discussion, Crawford made the motion to vote on the ordinance again, but her motion died for a lack of a second. So, the ordinance that passed on June 1st will stand.