BUSKING: Think it through

I read Jesse Warburton’s request of the Coeur d’Alene council members to support an ordinance to allow him to play his music on the street. I’m sure Mr. Warburton is an excellent musician, and I wish him success in every other venue besides the street. I’m afraid if this ordinance is passed, it will open the floodgates for every panhandler who hears about it to stake a claim on the narrow sidewalks of Sherman Avenue.

Our sidewalks can barely accommodate pedestrians, strollers, wheelchairs, dogs, etc., without navigating around musicians with open guitar cases on the ground to hold money. Mr. Warburton claims it’s not panhandling, but standing on the sidewalk asking for money, whether you’re playing an instrument, singing or holding up a sign, that’s panhandling and I just don’t want to see it get started here in our beautiful city.

LINDSEY GARRETT

Coeur d’Alene