Oneonta City Clerk Issues Statement on Door-to-Door Salespersons

Those concerned about door-to-door salespeople coming into the city got a response Tuesday from Oneonta City Clerk Doug Kendall. He says there isn't much he can do.

Recently, Kendall notified police and residents that two companies -- Southwestern Company and T & B Sales -- were going to canvass the city in August.

After several complaints, including questioning why the city was allowing this, were made public on city Facebook pages, Oneonta Police Chief Dennis Nayor brought the concerns to Oneonta City Clerk Doug Kendall.

Kendall issued the following statement to police and the public, explaining how out of state companies like Southwestern Company and T & B Sales are allowed to sell in Oneonta:

Sales canvasses such as those undertaken by out-of-state companies including the Southwestern Company and T & B Sales are exempt from local permitting under the Interstate Commerce clause of the Constitution. The City does not have the power to permit or prevent their activities and receives no fees from these firms. For many years, the City Clerk’s office has issued letters to such canvassers to give residents an avenue for complaints/comments through the City Clerk’s office. The City Clerk’s Office and the Police Department have copies of identification for all canvassers. If residents suspect any laws are being broken, they should contact the Oneonta Police.