Robert Certain wants to generate business going door-to-door seeking work as a handyman, cleaning up yards, painting and hauling away trash.

To do so, Manteca municipal ordinances require that he request a solicitor’s permit from Police Chief Nick Obligacion.

The police chief turned him down. Certain is appealing that decision to the Manteca City Council when they meet Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Civic Center, 1001 W. Center St.

Obligacion denied the permit request based on a background check that revealed 14 arrests with 10 misdemeanor convictions and a felony conviction between 1979 and 1996. The check apparently didn’t show any criminal activity during the past 20 years.

The ordinance reads, in part, “if in the judgment of the police chief the representations made in the statement (application) or his or her investigation of the applicant discloses that the granting of the license applied for may be detrimental to the public peace, morals, health, safety or general welfare or that the applicant is not of good moral character or has been convicted of any violation of law involving moral turpitude, he or she shall recommend to the city clerk that the license shall not be issued until a permit therefor has been granted by the city council and the city clerk shall thereupon require the applicant to file an application for the permit, as required in Section 5.08.020, and the entire matter shall then be referred to the city council.”

The convictions were for obstructing a public officer, battery, possession of a switch blade, possession of a hypodermic needle, vandalism, under the influence of a controlled substance, and drug sales.

Certain during that time period received sentences ranging from probation to six months in jail.

Certain in his application listed his convictions.

In the past, the City Council has backed up police chiefs when they denied solicitors permits submitted by individuals with criminal backgrounds. They often, however, laud the individual publically for trying to support his or hers elf.

The council has the authority to overrule the chief if they so desire under municipal ordinances.