A few weeks back we were subjected to another rude solicitor from Environment Virginia. Paul posted a comment about it here and two other neighbors told me about his rude and illegal behavior. You need a permit to do door to door soliciting in the fair city of Alexandria – something which no solicitor from Environment Virginia has been able to show us.
So I called Environment Virginia (434 979 9825). They put me in touch with JR who is the head of Environment Virginia. After playing phone tag a bit JR and I had a nice conversation. He apologized (again) for the rude solicitor without a permit and told me it would not happen again. I asked why I should feel reassured about this because that is what he told me the first time I called when we caught this rude miscreant on our street soliciting without a permit. He assured me (again) that he would take action and that I should send him an email.
Well, that pesky thing known as a job got in the way for a week or two but today I was able to finally write the email to JR and thought you all might like to see what I wrote:
JR,
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me a week or so ago.
On two occasions, June 10 and August 27 we have had solicitors from your organization, Environment Virginia, illegally disturb us. On both occasions the solicitors were quite rude and did not have the required permit from the City of Alexandria. On both occasions we called the police. We have been documenting things like this on our neighborhood blog and you can read about both events here:
http://www.nelsonavegang.com/?p=56
http://www.nelsonavegang.com/?p=43#commentsWe would prefer that your organization (and all others except for those selling Girl Scout Cookies) not send solicitors to disturb us. I am sure you will understand why canvassers such as those who have been coming to our street are neither welcome on our street nor are they helping your organization and its cause.
I contacted you after the first incident and, from what you told me, I assumed it would not happen again. If we continue to have this problem we will begin working more closely with the City of Alexandria police department so they recognize the ongoing nature of these illegal acts and we will pursue other communication avenues to hopefully send a stronger message that we do not want solicitors on our street and especially rude ones who are breaking the law.
Thank you for your time,
EZ
EZ..nice job with this…like I said, I support environmental issues etc…but the last thing I need is to deal with solicitors when I am coming home from work…or trying to keep such people off my 95 y.o neighbor who fears this kind of harrassment.
Thanx
udaman!
PL
Thanks Paul!