After months and months of discussion, the Tampa City Council appeared poised to pass an ordinance dealing with banning panhandling next week. But the seemingly never ending saga will continue on for at least another month, when the council voted on Thursday to delay next week's presentation of two different potential bans, and instead will discuss and debate on the issue on September 8.
One reason for the delay is simply to allow for a full council. Chairman Charlie Miranda is missing in action due to a health issue. Also, Councilman Harry Cohen, who had previously presented to the city's legal staff the directive to research and present two possible ordinances back in June, said that he now wants to hear information on a third option.
This article appears in Jul 28 – Aug 3, 2011.