Following up on a Maryland Court of Appeals decision last year that invalidated a Montgomery Country fortune telling ban, a Maryland town is revising the city ordinance that prohibits the practice. Well, it sorts of has to. The town council of Aberdeen is meeting next Monday to discuss a change that would license fortune tellers and other occult practitioners within the city limits. Bel Air's town council, however, did not repeal its ordinance, in spite of the Court of Appeals ruling and a recommendation from the Director of Planning. However, most town councillors noted that defending a lawsuit would be costly and tedious.
Only one commissioner, Dave Carey, supported the bill to make fortune-telling legit. His motion to pass the ordinance died when none of the other commissioners would second the action.
Despite the board’s unwillingness to allow fortune-telling, only one commissioner, Terry Hanley, said he would actually fight any legal action taken against the town. Hanley said Harford County is “dramatically different” from Montgomery County and he also worries about how fortune-tellers would affect neighboring businesses.
“It’s hard to put a dollar [amount] on principle,” he said. “Let them challenge us. If they feel it that strongly, bring it on.”
The other commissioners disagreed.
“Of course I am not in favor of fortune-telling, but I had some major concerns spending taxpayer money to defend it,” Rob Preston said. “I will be very limited in what I am willing to spend to defend this untenable decision, in light of the Maryland court decision.”
More here about the debate.
Polish up my crystal ball, Patrick....
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