Conviction could soon mean eviction in Sunbury

City ratchets up tenant rules to ‘one and done’

By Francis Scarcella The Daily Item

SUNBURY, PA — In a last-minute change, Sunbury Mayor David Persing and City Council have decided that if you are convicted of selling drugs  just one time while renting in city limits, not only will the law get you, but you will also be homeless.

“It’s one and done,” Persing said during Monday’s city council meeting.

“There is no way to track convictions and this is a better way to make sure the ordinance is enforced.”

The new ordinance — that will be in effect by August —  now states that, once convicted, an individual will be immediately evicted banned from living inside the city.

In a vote of 3-1, council passed the first reading of the ordinance.

Persing, Councilmen Todd Snyder and Jim Eister voted yes, while Councliman Joe Bartello voted no.

Councilman Kevin Troup was absent.

More than 15 landlords were in attendance and no one really challenged the addition.