CYPRESS : Door-to-Door Candy Sales Permit Denied

For the second time in two months, the City Council has turned down a for-profit organization’s request to allow young people to sell items door-to-door.

In December, the council turned down a for-profit religious group’s application for door-to-door candy sales.

Council members at that time said such operations compete with local, nonprofit youth groups.

The latest request for a city permit came from a Santa Ana-based organization called Youth Work Program.

James M. Haas, spokesman for the program, told the City Council this week that a dozen young people under his supervision sell goods and learn “a variety of job skills.”

“Yes, there is a profit, but I just do this for the kids,” Haas told the council.

Residents Regan Smith and Jerry Sharber urged the City Council to reject Haas’ plea, saying that the city seems to be drawing growing numbers of door-to-door sellers for profit-based organizations.

“For the past several years we’ve been inundated in Cypress with these people,” said Sharber. “I am opposed to this.”

Councilman Walter K. Bowman agreed. “I personally don’t like the idea of for-profit organizations coming into our community and going door to door,” he said.

He added that locally based for-profit organizations, including stores and businesses, provide stability and sales tax to the city.

The council unanimously voted to reject Haas’ application.

“Can I appeal this?” he asked, after the vote. Mayor Cecilia L. Age responded that no appeal was possible.