Rescind unenforced ordinances

If local ordinances are not going to be enforced, should they be rescinded?

The City of Woodstock has some ordinances on its books that are not being enforced, even when attention to violations is brought to the attention of City Hall.

Recently a benefit was held at the Woodstock Harley-Davidson dealership and included raffles and a 50/50. An inquiry to the City before the event went unanswered.

Now that same group is sponsoring a benefit, including raffles, at a Woodstock bowling alley. An inquiry to the City on September 23 has so far gone unanswered.

Maybe illegal raffles are somewhat like jaywalking. Not a big deal. Don't hurt anyone (unless the jaywalker gets hit by a car). Only happen once in a while. For a good purpose.

But maybe the City should rescind ordinances that it isn't going to enforce. "Discretion" doesn't exist regarding ordinance violations. The violation either occurs or it doesn't. If the City ignores violations, but then chooses to enforce them in certain circumstances, doesn't that leave the door wide open for discrimination or selective enforcement or, horrors!, profiling?

City staff read the newspapers and read their email. They know when an illegal raffle is being planned. And they should act without waiting around for a citizen to crank them up about it.