Around New England

Mayor Vetoes Plan To Let Store Owners Clear Homeless From Sidewalks in Front of Their Businesses

March 6, 2019

The mayor of Manchester, New Hampshire has vetoed a proposed ordinance that would allow store owners to control the area of sidewalk in front of their store, effectively letting them kick out homeless people, after getting threatened by the American Civil Liberties Union.

The city council of New Hampshire’s largest city approved the ordinance 12-0, with two councilors absent, on Tuesday, March 5, according to The Union Leader.

But Mayor Joyce Craig immediately vetoed it, calling it “reckless.” She also noted that the American Civil Liberties Union had put city officials on notice in January that the organization planned to sue the city if it enacted the measure.

A bid to override the veto failed, with 5 councilors for and 10 councilors against, and one abstention, according to The Union Leader.