SCAM ALERT

As part of our public service efforts, GE&P would like to warn the taxpayers of Berkeley County about a new scam that is being perpetrated against certain innocent citizens.

For as long as we can remember, we have seen roadside vendors selling their wares along the highways and byways of Berkeley County. These vendors provide a needed service to the community. Anyone can stop and pick up a watermelon on the way to a day at the lake or grab that necessary bunch of fresh collards on New Year's Eve. The wares available range from Christmas trees to veggies to household items.

If these roadside stands are located within an incorporated area of the County, Monck's Corner, Goose Creek, Daniel Island, etc., the vendor must pay whatever fee is required by that town. BUT, there is no BC Ordinance requiring a permit or business license if the stand is located in the unincorporated area.

Now that you know the way things are supposed to be, allow us to tell you what actually happened.

Shortly before Christmas last, a BC citizen set up a roadside stand in an unincorporated area of BC to sell Christmas trees. After a few days, a BC employee who works in Code Enforcement paid him a visit. This vendor was asked for his permit. Of course the vendor didn't have one since a permit to operate a roadside stand in the unincorporated portions of BC is not required by law. The Code Enforcement officer told the vendor he would have to either secure a $50.00 permit or shut down his operation.

The vendor inquired as to the number of the BC Ordinance that required the $50.00 permit. The Code Enforcement officer told the vendor there was no Ordinance but there was a County POLICY that required the permit if "you have a tent over your wares".

The vendor immediately went to the permit department at the BC administration building. When he inquired about getting the needed permit, the lady behind the counter said, " This is a real coincidence, we just got the memo on this about 10 minutes ago." The lady showed the vendor the memo that described the new "policy" on TENTS and AWNINGS. It might interest you to obtain a copy of this, if you want a good laugh, that is. The policy includes a "FEE" (which turns out to be $50) to cover the inspection of these potentially dangerous items (tents and awnings).

Consider, if you will, the impact this new "policy" could have on BC. Camp meetings use tents and awnings. Funeral homes use tents and awnings. Church bazaars use them. Yard sales use them. Most people selling anything alongside the road in the summertime use awnings. People having a cookout use awnings. The list goes on.

Now, we would like to mention one last little tiny fact. In order for the County Administration to impose any fee on 'we the people', there must exist an Ordinance passed by County Council. Would anyone like to venture a guess as to whether County Council has ever voted on this new "POLICY"?