Hall County Government invites residents to enjoy spectacular fireworks on Monday, Sept. 2 at Laurel Park, benefitting the American Legion Paul E. Bolding Post 7. Hall County Parks and Leisure, Sheriff's Office, Fire Services, Public Works, Public Safety and the Correctional Institution donate services each year to support this longstanding local tradition.

Laurel Park is located at 3100 Old Cleveland Hwy, Gainesville. Gates will open at 9 a.m. for visitors to enjoy the sports facilities, playground, spray ground, dog park and views of Lake Lanier. A spectacular fireworks display, provided by the American Legion and Hall County Government, begins at dusk. Parking is $5 per car. Snow cones, hot dogs and other concessions will be sold by North Georgia Boy Scouts.   Read more here.

Did you know that door-to-door solicitation/sales is allowed once again in Hall County?  Due to numerous complaints from the public and high-pressure intimidating sales tactics used by the solicitors, the Hall County Commission put a temporary moratorium on ALL door-to-door sales.  After much consideration, a new ordinance was approved allowing this type of business activity again, but it is highly regulated now.   The purpose of regulating the sale of goods and services by door-to-door solicitation was to help prohibit and/or eliminate criminal activity and abusive techniques utilized by canvassers or solicitors which would adversely affect the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Hall County.

Fifty to 60 years ago, the door-to-door salesperson or peddler was a welcome visitor...there weren't drug stores, Wal-Marts, discount stores, neighborhood convenience stores, etc. just around the corner like there are now.  And with the internet, a homeowner can look at thousands of items in the comfort and security of his own home.  In today's society, not many people like to have strangers knocking on their doors.  Additionally, there are more "latch key" kids staying at home alone after school now, and our senior citizen population has increased, both of which would be a target to an unscrupulous sales person.

ANYONE that comes to your door to sell a product, service, or give you a free sample or any kind of information is required to have a business license AND a special PHOTO door-to-door permit issued by Hall County.  This permit will ensure the homeowner that Hall County has done an extensive criminal background investigation on the person knocking on your door to verify that there are no criminal activities in their past  that might put you or your family at risk.

There are some exemptions, however; non-profit groups (like churches), political candidates, and school-aged children selling for fundraising purposes do not have to register and obtain a permit.  Remember, you do not HAVE TO open your door or acknowledge anyone at your door if you don't want to.  Don't EVER feel pressured to open your door to someone you don't know.

Some of the regulations for door to door sales are:  only one person may approach your house at a time; they must speak English; no solicitation is allowed before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. each day and never on Sundays or holidays; the solicitor may only approach your home at your main front entrance and cannot go around your house to your back yard or back door unless YOU have invited them; and the most important thing to remember is that if you say no, that you are not interested, the solicitor MUST leave immediately.  If they do not leave immediately, call 911 and say that you have a suspicious person in your neighborhood.  Try to get a good description of the solicitor(s) and their vehicle to give to the 911 dispatcher.  Also, if you have a "no solicitation" sign up at the entrance of your neighborhood/subdivision or on your door, these solicitors have been instructed to respect your wishes and to not enter your area.  Again, if you see anyone in violation, please contact 911 immediately with a detailed description of the person(s) and vehicle(s) as soon as possible.

Our public safety first responders depend on YOU, the public, to help them catch the "bad guys."  Since they can't be everywhere all the time, be sure to keep your eyes open to any suspicious activity going on in your neighborhood and report it immediately to 911.  Don't let the joke end up being on you.....