Solicitor may be thrown to the curb

A solicitor from Kalispell who employs at-risk youth is in jeopardy of losing his business license in Whitefish after numerous residents complained about aggressive sales tactics.

Operating as the Kalispell Youth Project, Dean Scheller hires youth ages 15 to 24 to paint house numbers and an American flag emblem on street curbs. He and his workers have been going door-to-door in Whitefish the past few weeks asking residents for a suggested donation of $40-$50 to paint their curb.

Scheller operates as a small business rather than a nonprofit organization. He says he pays his workers minimum wage or a little more. According to a flyer he gives customers, “all contributions generated by the Kalispell Youth Project are 100 percent for profit to keep the project alive.”

He says the youths are performing a public service while earning money and learning a skill that raises their self-esteem.

“I’m teaching kids ‘don’t sell drugs, don’t gang bang, and pull your pants up’,” Scheller told the Pilot. “I’m teaching kids to get out and do something.”

“I tell the kids to work hard, learn to be creative, and learn to apply yourself.”

Many of the youths he employs have spent time in jail. They deserve a second chance, Scheller says. In the flyer to customers, he says the project is creating jobs for youth who can’t get jobs due to their lack of work experience or background.

He also employs youth at his “dude ranch” in the valley making wooden flag poles that he sells for $600.

Most residents see value in the project, he says, but there are a few who don’t.

“Most like to see the kids out there doing something,” he said. “A couple people are pissed off at the world, but you can’t please everybody. A larger percentage see the value of my little project, and like what we’re doing.”

This week, Scheller’s solicitations came to a head when his workers hit the Central Avenue district.

City manager Chuck Stearns says the city took at least 15 calls Monday about the workers being too aggressive and painting numbers for residents or businesses that didn’t want them. Earlier in the month, a number of residents called police with concerns about the project.

Councilor Richard Hildner personally took a call from a resident who said they were being “browbeaten,” and were told that by not donating they were showing a lack of patriotism.

“They didn’t feel good about this at all,” Hildner said.

Hildner also worries about vulnerability of the elderly and the steep $40 donation rate.

The youth project touts painting the numbers as a safety precaution so police and fire personnel can more easily find a home. Scheller says emergency workers are in support of his project.

Whitefish Fire Chief Tom Kennelly, however, says the painted numbers have no positive effect on response time. In fact, it could make it more confusing if properties are mislabeled.

Stearns said at least one property was mislabeled Monday on Central Avenue. He wasn’t sure if the number was going to be fixed.

Scheller said he was given a permit by the city to work in the public right-of-way.

Councilor Phil Mitchell said the group’s business license should be revoked, if there’s grounds to do so.

“They’re being pushy with people,” he said. “If someone comes to my door, I want to have the right to say yes or no.”

Scheller contends that if a resident doesn’t want their curb painted, they just need to say no.

The city manager has the authority to revoke a business license with cause. Council directed staff to look into that option.