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PrintFriendly.com: Print & PDF Page 8 of 9 <br /> At another nearby intersection, Bryan Tardiff voiced support for the city program, but also warned that some <br /> panhandlers make more per hour than the city would pay. The 22-year-old said he can make $80 to $100 in <br /> as little as two hours flying a sign, enough to outweigh the shame and abuse that come with panhandling, <br /> including people yelling at him and throwing full cups of soda at him. <br /> "I make more money flying a sign than I do at a full-time job," he said. <br /> ADVOCATES EMPHASIZE VOLUNTEER ASPECT <br /> Bill Higgins, an advocate for Preble Street's Homeless Voices for Justice, a Portland-based advocacy group <br /> of people who have experienced homelessness, said the city needs to make it clear that working is optional <br /> and city staff should not pressure people to participate. <br /> "It's got to be presented as a volunteer thing, and they have to tell the people exactly what they will be doing <br /> for work that day, so they'll have the opportunity to make a sound decision," Higgins said. "They have the <br /> right to be standing there. (The city doesn't) have the right to force anyone to do anything." <br /> Tars, the attorney from the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty, shared similar concerns. He <br /> worried that the community may take a more negative view of disabled panhandlers who cannot participate <br /> in the program. <br /> "Most people have either a physical or mental disability that prevents them from doing this. If you make this <br /> as an option, the city will find no shortage of people," he said. "Those who don't—or can't— because of a <br /> disability shouldn't be penalized or viewed more dimly." <br /> Randy Billings can be contacted at 791-6346 or at: <br /> [email protected] <br /> Twitter: randybillings <br /> Share <br /> rIZI a <br /> 10C <br /> Read or Post Comments <br /> Send questions/comments to the editors. <br /> Want the news vital to Maine? <br /> Our daily headlines email is delivered each morning. <br /> • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. <br /> https:Hwww.printfriendly.com/print?url_s=uGGC_%7E_PdN_%7E—PcS_%7E_PcSJJJmCE... 6/6/2017 <br />