The View From Here: ‘Hot dog man’ deserves an answer
Last week’s meetings revealed an interesting portion of the workings of city government.
Planned to be discussed, among other items Monday, was the lease agreement with the guy who is starting to be known as “the hot dog man” to people working downtown and beyond.
He seems to be receiving a welcome reception after setting up shop a few weeks ago. But the hot dog man has his eye on the crown jewel – Main Street – where it is suggested he will be more visible.
When he politely asked city leaders for permission to sell on Main Street several months ago, he probably expected a prompt answer, allowing for a reasonable amount of time to get things in order. That hasn’t happened.
It’s not that it is the most important decision they will ever make or coordinate, but this has taken quite a long time. While decisions and work needed to make them reality sometimes really do take a long time, this has gone on long enough.
When Brian Curran first went to a city committee to ask permission to set up his stand on Main Street, it was early September, 2002. His letter to the city is dated in July.
Last year, they told him street vending wasn’t allowed specifically on Main Street, but they were also trying to figure out a way to let him be there, which is a reason for some of the delay.
One solution offered about two weeks later was to allow him to lease a small portion of city property. The idea was for him to locate to the corner of what was “The Hole” on a six-month trial basis. While waiting, he has set up his cart on a steep hill on the corner of Depot Street, where he is apparently allowed to sell.
Because it appeared on the public agenda for formal discussion Monday, perhaps some answers were to be expected. But finalizing a lease agreement was put off. Some leaders – who comprise a different board since the election, to be fair – said “final touches” on an agreement they could vote on were needed. They also referred to a needed legal description for the area and referred it back to the legal department.
To their credit, the city usually does everything carefully and with deliberation, so it’s not unusual for them to take some time and to see them considering the future impact of their decisions. Except that I’ve seen the old board make decisions in less than five minutes on issues that affect a lot more people.
The wonder is that the city has dedicated several years and a bundle of public money for improving downtown. The idea for revitalization is a proposal that is business friendly and the need for it has been described to counter the effects of time on the downtown area. Why is it that someone whose idea has generally gone over well so far and who wants to contribute to downtown vitality is kept waiting for so long?
If there is some reason he should not be there, he deserves an open answer, and more quickly than the five months that have passed. One follow up idea was that if he did get on Main Street and it did not work out, the city could terminate the agreement with a 30-day notice, so they would have an out and would not have to deal with it anymore.
If the answer really is “no,” tell the guy so and let him get on with his life. If he’s gotten the word spread around about his location enough, perhaps he’ll choose to stay on that corner. Or, tell him yes and let him be on Main Street.
I appreciate leaders’ cautiousness and foresight – and I have to wonder if his visibility is as big of an issue as perceived given that people have already sniffed out the smell of hot dogs cooking downtown – but it shouldn’t take this long to give the hot dog man some answers.
Amy Satterwhite is a reporter for the Standard. She can be reached at 473-2191 or by e-mail at [email protected].