[Charter-Com] Repost: Re: Can we legally put this in the Charter?

[Tony Becker]

This message was originally sent to the Charter Commission outside of the listserv.  It has been forwarded to the list so that the list's archive is more complete.  The original sender was Mike Turley.

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "Michael R. Turley" <mturley at lewisrice.com>
Sent: Monday, January 28, 2008 3:16:21 PM (GMT-0600) America/Chicago
Subject: RE: Can we legally put this in the Charter?

I think this is an example of an item that should be debated at the
meetings and not by e-mail.  At the appropriate time, it could be placed
on an agenda, although I tend at this point to agree with Tony's e-mail
response regarding its merits.


-----Original Message-----
From: Phil Amato [mailto:pamato at arnoldmo.org] 
Sent: Monday, January 28, 2008 12:25 PM
Subject: Can we legally put this in the Charter?

As stated in previous meetings, my understanding is that this Charter is
pretty open ended.  I had been contemplating an item that could be put
in the Charter that could effect everyday people and be important to law
enforcement.  Since all of us are concerned about crime and drugs in
schools, that is what placated this thought process.  Sunday I went to a
pancake breakfast sponsored by the Food Pantry.  A legislator approached
me to discuss my thoughts on the Charter.  There was a good exchange and
I received important information regarding how Jeff City works in
conjunction with a County Commission.  To the point, the reason for this
email, I asked this legislator that has a background in law enforcement,
his opinion on a solution for crime prevention, especially the meth
problem in Jefferson County.  He suggested an electronic data base for
Sudafed purchases in our county.  He went on to explain that there is a
Bill being introduced in the legislature in this regard but he was not
very optimistic for its passage.  The Pharmaceutical Lobby will in his
opinion, do its utmost to block this legislation.  The plain simple fact
is they want to sell over the counter medications.  Presently in our
county, retailers that sell this over the counter medication, must keep
a running log of who is making the purchase.  This is a key ingredient
in the making of math.  Law enforcement officers have to go in the store
that disburses this medication and physically look at the logs and in
most cases they are not allowed to take the logs out of the store.  An
electronic central data base would allow these records to come into the
Sheriff's Department so drug enforcement personnel can see if there is
frequent purchases by any individuals which obviously could be used in
the making of meth.  My opinion is, if this is legally and acceptable
item to be included in the Charter, it could be a great opportunity to
demonstrate to all the city's and to the sheriff's dept. that Charter
Government could help in the fight against Meth.  A press release
concerning this matter could be our second in gathering support from the
electorate.  Please give me your thoughts.

Phil Amato