Last updated on July 10, 2021
Free Tampa Bay Newspapers “litter” or “literature? Has anyone successfully stopped or is familiar with a procedure for preventing deliveries of unsolicited copies of the Tampa Bay Newspapers, Inc. (TBNweekly/TBN)? Is there an approach that makes sense? That offers 1st Amendment protection for TBN. Without involving our courts.
At the same time, protection for property owners and citizens’ rights? While lessening the litter, these papers, if delivered haphazardly, can cause. Like all newspapers, newspaper litter as it degrades, release chemicals and microparticles like in Covid-19 are released causing several problems.
Many of our municipalities, like Belleair and Pinellas County claim they cannot assist individual homeowners. Reducing the litter caused by the unwelcome newspapers.
The distribution of the TBN
The distribution of the TBN and others falls under the protection of the 1st Amendment. Municipalities who have attempted to resolve this issue through the courts. All have been dismissed under 1st Amendment protection.
Which isn’t exactly true. Towns have made agreements to change how the paper was delivered. Charged similar free newspapers with “throwing refuse on highways and adjacent lands” not for delivering a newspaper protected under the 1st Amendment.
Nevertheless, taking the matter to court won’t be successful in preventing unwanted deliveries. The only possible solution is a sensible resolution for both TBN and local property owners and citizens.
Personally, I believe the papers on their own merit aren’t the principal litter problem. The problem stems from methods used to deliver the TBN newspapers.
We’ve spoken on at least four occasions to two sympathetic gentlemen in charge of TBN deliveries. Each time, promising to tell those they contract to deliver the TBN to stop. Which I’m fairly sure they did. These gentlemen sounded like unreasonable people. The only problem was they never really stopped.
Then again, their receptiveness leaves both sides with numerous solutions. Then a costly court battle. TBN’s, I believe, with a little effort on everyone’s part, dialog and communicate on the part of TBN and our municipalities. Can come to a fair and easy possible solution for this issue.
It would certainly speed up any changes, and we need our local official’s assistance. But by no means are you to rely on them alone. Those who don’t want the TBN delivered. Needs to be hands-on and proactive. I’ve supplied the needed contact information. Including emails, phone numbers, and other references.
Tampa Bay Newspapers
Tampa Bay Newspapers has 5 separate community newspapers. The Bee is likely your weekly board sheet newspaper you receive? This goes out to Belleair, Belleair Beach, Bluffs, Shores, Clearwater Beach & Indian Rocks Beach. The Bee delivers about 12,000 papers a week. Just here.
As a first step, call Tampa Bay Newspapers (727) 397-5563. Politely requesting them to stop deliveries of their newspaper. Try to help them help you. Make known your reason why. Ask the name of the person you are speaking with, and when you can anticipate the paper to stop being delivered.
Next, email Dan Autrey Publisher and President of Tampa Bay Newspapers @[email protected]. At the same time, call and your town mayor, commissioners, town managers, and cc them Dan Autrey’s email.
Since TBN was receptive and agreeing with us, random residents, to stop the deliveries. It may be enough and actually worked – for a while.
An additional approach that may make sense for all concerned. I suggest we request. Our town officials communicate with the management of TNN and request them. To simply, in certain areas, to have their delivery contractors deliver the TNN properly.
Discontinue throwing them on the road, on the shoulder, into ditches, or in locations where the TBN newspaper. Never has a chance to be read. But where residents. Can easily pick it up and read it instead of throwing it directly into the trash.
Tampa Bay Newspapers has been in business long enough. They have a list of sufficient data on where the newspapers get the best ROI. Certain roads where there are little chance advertisers will get what they pay for, generating more eyes and more revenues?
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After reading your article on “Litter/Literature” a side though came to mind concerning the collected buildup of unsolicited freely distributed “Litter/Literature” on vacant seasonal properties as it can be a signal that the property may belong to a seasonal resident, giving a green flag to unsavory types that might target such properties. So would it be in the interest of the municipal to block said “Litter/Literature” as a precaution to protect its residents? In such a case as a home break-in, could the municipal be held responsible? Does the 1st Amendment protection for the press blanket the municipal’s responsibility? Which takes precedent, the precautionary safety of the tax payer by the municipal or the 1st Amendment rights of the press?