A new smoke shop selling clean urine, careless scooter drivers and tax increases were three concerns raised by South End residents on Wednesday, January 14.

Newly elected District 7 City Councilor Miniard Culpepper met with residents at Union Church as part of a listening tour where he and his team will visit different wards to hear concerns and ideas from the community.

Culpepper thanked the audience for the support in pushing him over the finish line in the election.

“I wanted to do these listening sessions because during the campaign, I did all of the talking,” Culpepper said. “You listened to me for six months and now I want to listen to you for two years.”

Residents took turns voicing concerns, suggestions and praises for Culpepper.

One attendee said a smoke shop on Columbus Avenue is selling “clean urine” that one could purchase to pass a drug test and also Kratom, a plant the FDA has warned people not to use.

“There hasn’t been a single agency that has been able to say this is under [their] purview,” he said. The resident is seeking the addition of regulations or putting any that do exist into use to “raise the bar.”

The smoke shop opened out of a previously existing wine store.

The resident, who said he lives directly above the smoke shop, said having a liquor license implies community trust in the business.

“Should they be selling these products and still be able to maintain a liquor license?” he asked.

“That is the reason for tonight, to hear you,” said Culpepper.

One common concern brought up by the community in attendance was the way scooters and similar motorized vehicles used for food delivery are driven around the neighborhood.

“They don’t stop for anyone,” said one resident. “They ignore lights and signs. I think the mopeds are trying to kill me.”

District 2 City Councilor Ed Flynn was in attendance, saying that law enforcement “needs to step up to the plate” to make traffic safety a priority. Flynn said police officers do a good job, but that there needs to be more officers on duty.

Also present were State Representative John Moran, At Large City Councilor Erin Murphy and State Senator Nick Collins.

“It’s only been a week and a few days, but I can already tell that the energy you’re bringing is what the council needs,” Murphy said to Culpepper. “You want to make sure that you’re showing up for the people and you’re working alongside your colleagues so I’m happy to join you tonight.”

Audience members had different views on open-air drug use and markets in the neighborhood, with some believing the situation has improved while others still find it a problem.

One resident asked why the cost of living continues to rise despite the quality of life decreasing. The ability to continue living in the South End is a concern for many residents, he said.