Lexington city leaders have decided to wait before moving forward with home delivery restrictions on unsolicited publications. The debate at city hall pertains primarily to an advertising and news product of the Lexington Herald Leader. A council committee voted earlier this summer to require such publications to be placed on doorsteps, rather than on front lawns or on driveways. Council member Bill Farmer believes there are free speech issues to consider. “We’re taking a broad brush approach to stopping the paper from delivering this circular, this informational circular, and it harms their free speech expression opportunity,” said Farmer.
Council member Kevin Stinnett countered saying other businesses could choose to distribute newsletters through a similar delivery process. “Can you imagine if every business took this approach and drafted a newsletter and threw it on people’s driveways, how much impact that would have on our community?” asked Stinnett.
Council action on Tuesday places the matter back in committee with the issue to be reviewed in six months.
