[HISTORY: Adopted by the Commissioners of the Town of Princess Anne 12-4-1991
as Ch. VIII, Art. 5 of the 1991 Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the business of fortune-telling, as defined in § 82-2 of this chapter, within the corporate limits of the Town of Princess Anne without first obtaining a license.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
The practice of revealing the past, present or future fortune or
events of anyone's life by palmistry, phrenology or by any other means
or device whatsoever, including revealing a person's character or personality
characteristics by means of the analysis of handwriting, for pay or compensation.
A.
Applicants for a license under this chapter shall file
a written, sworn application signed by the applicant showing the following:
(1)
The name and description of the applicant.
(2)
The address, both legal and local.
(3)
The address of the place where the business of fortune-telling
is to be carried on.
(4)
A photograph of the applicant taken within 60 days immediately
prior to the date of the filing of the application, which picture shall be
two inches by two inches, showing the head and shoulders of the applicant
in a clear and distinguishing manner.
(5)
The fingerprints of the applicant and the names of at
least two residents of Princess Anne who will certify as to the applicant's
good character and business respectability.
(6)
A statement as to whether or not the applicant has been
convicted of any crime, misdemeanor or violation of any municipal ordinance,
the nature of the offense and the punishment or penalty assessed therefor.
(7)
A statement by a reputable physician of the Town of Princess
Anne, dated not more than 10 days prior to submission of the application,
certifying the applicant to be free of contagious, infectious or communicable
disease.
A.
Upon receipt of such application, the original shall
be referred to the Town Manager, who shall cause such investigation of the
applicant's business and moral character to be made as he/she deems necessary
for the protection of the public good.
B.
If, as the result of such investigation, the applicant's
character or business responsibility is found to be unsatisfactory, the Town
Manager shall endorse on such application his/her disapproval and his/her
reasons for the same and return said application to the applicant, notifying
him/her that his/her application is disapproved and that no license will be
issued.
C.
If, as a result of such investigation, the character
and business responsibility of the applicant are found to be satisfactory,
the Town Manager shall endorse on the application his/her approval and, upon
payment of the prescribed license fee, deliver the license to the applicant.
Such license shall contain the signature and seal of the issuing officer and
shall show the name, address and photograph of said licensee, the purpose
for which the license is issued, the amount of fee paid, the date of issuance
and the length of time the same shall be operative.
D.
The Town Manager shall keep a permanent record of all
licenses issued.
The license fee which shall be charged by the Town Manager for such
fortune-telling license shall be as set by the President and Commissioners
by resolution from time to time. No license shall be issued for a shorter
period than one year. No rebate shall be made to the licensee upon the surrender
of any license issued hereunder prior to the expiration of the period for
which the license is issued.
Each licensee hereunder shall exhibit his/her license in his/her place
of business.
It shall be unlawful for any person, other than the person named in
the license, to practice fortune-telling under such license. It shall be unlawful
for any licensee hereunder to practice fortune-telling at any other location
than that described in his/her license.
The Chief of Police shall report to the Town Manager all convictions
for violation of this chapter, and the Town Manager shall maintain a record
for each license issued and record the reports of violation therein.
A.
Licenses issued under the provisions of this chapter
may be revoked by the President and Commissioners of Princess Anne, after
notice and hearing, for any of the following reasons:
(1)
Fraud, misrepresentation or false statement contained
in the application for license.
(2)
Any violation of this chapter.
(3)
Conviction of any crime or misdemeanor involving moral
turpitude.
(4)
Knowingly permitting any person, other than the licensee,
to practice fortune-telling in the place of business of such licensee.
B.
Notice of the hearing for revocation of a license shall
be given in writing, setting forth specifically the grounds of complaint and
the time and place of hearing. Such notice shall be mailed, postage prepaid,
to the licensee at the address set forth at the place of business of such
licensee at least five days prior to the date set for hearing.
Any person aggrieved by the action of the Town Manger in the denial of a license, as provided in this chapter, shall have the right of appeal to the President and Commissioners of Princess Anne. Such appeal shall be taken by filing with the Commissioners, within 14 days after notice of the action complained of has been mailed to such person's last known address, a written statement setting forth fully the grounds for the appeal. The Commissioners shall set a time and place for a hearing on such appeal, and notice of such hearing shall be given to the appellant in the same manner as provided in § 82-9B of this chapter.
