TPD reminds store owners of new ordinance

WTVG -- Toledo convenience store owners say the city tries to threaten them into complying with a new licensing ordinance.

Toledo convenience store owners say the city tries to threaten them into complying with a new licensing ordinance. Very few convenience stores have complied with the new law, but recently Toledo police have been reminding them to sign up

Nabil Shaheen got a surprise visit from a Toledo police officer this morning. "She walks in and says here you need to fill this out and mail it back in," says Nabil. The officer left a licensing application along with a signed letter from the chief of police.

Without the $250 license, Nabil and nearly 200 other convenience store owners cannot legally operate in Toledo. Toledo agreed to delay enforcing the licensing ordinance until June 1st, but 4 days before TPD is making deliveries.

Attorney Scott Ciolek represents store owners like Nabil. He claims the city was willing to work out a settlement both sides could live with, but now appears to be sending an unpleasant message. "Sign up, let go of your constitutional rights, or we're going to throw you in jail," explains Scott Ciolek. "To store owners, that threat seems more real when you get a hand delivered application from a police officer carrying a side arm. The last time applications went out was by certified mail. But that obviously didn't happen this time."

So now, Ciolek will ask a judge to issue a restraining order keeping the city from enforcing the ordinance. Without that order, store owners are vulnerable. "They might have to go to jail. They may be in big trouble," says Scott.

Trouble in the form of jail time and fines; trouble nabil doesn't understand. "I lie here, I been here, I make my money here, I pay my taxes, I don't know why they're doing this," says Nabil.

Chief Navarre admits hand-delivered applications is unusual, but he says the intent is not to intimidate but to let store owners know the ordinance is now law, and they need to comply. He also says there will be a grace period before they start enforcing it.

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