Pubdate: Mon, 20 Nov 2006
Source: Herald-Sun, The (Durham, NC)
Copyright: 2006 The Herald-Sun
Contact:  http://www.herald-sun.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1428
Author: Brianne Dopart

CAMPAIGN FOR 'LOVE ROSE' BAN COULD GO STATEWIDE

DURHAM -- When the Rev. Melvin Whitley introduced his proposed 
citywide ban on so-called "love roses," an item sold at Durham 
convenience stores and, according to Whitley, used by addicts to 
smoke crack, he told reporters that getting City Council members to 
vote for a ban would be like getting people to vote for apple pie.

Everybody loves apple pie, he said. And he was right, apparently.

Whitley's campaign, "Operation Pipe Dream," made news in late August 
when he delivered letters to 31 Durham convenience stores that 
allegedly sold the love roses, asking them to stop selling the item 
and informing them of Whitley's intent to seek a citywide ban.

Aside from achieving a unanimous vote for a civil penalty for stores 
that sell the item at the last council meeting, Whitley has found 
supporters of the ban across the state. Most recently, Whitley said 
District 29 N.C. House Representative-elect Larry Hall (D) has agreed 
to introduce the ban to North Carolina's legislature in hopes of 
achieving a statewide ban.

The council item, passed on Nov. 9, created a $500 fine for stores 
that sell love roses, the toughest penalty for the sale of them in 
the entire state, according to Whitley. In Charlotte, the penalty for 
selling love roses is $50, and in Greensboro it's $100.

"I think while some people say it's a small step, it will send the 
message that Durham is closed for business to drug users," said City 
Councilman Thomas Stith. "This was the first step in the right 
direction to show Durham will not stand for this."

The unanimous vote in favor of the ordinance also means the city is 
willing to "move foward ... without analyzing too much," Whitley 
said, referencing the city attorney and city police department's 
initial reluctance to support the ordinance.

Others willing to move forward with Whitley's campaign include Durham 
Together for Resilient Youth leaders Earl and Wanda Boone and the 
Triangle Lost Generation Task Force, a Raleigh-based activism group.

"We're looking for some movement on the state level," said Wanda 
Boone of her organization's willingness to help push the legislation 
in the General Assembly.

Stith called the legislation's chance in the N.C. House "viable."
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MAP posted-by: Elaine