Night Food Market in Downtown OKC

[Questor]

Steve's latest....

http://newsok.com/oklahoma-city-stat...rticle/3599409

[Questor]

They don't have the manpower to make one phone call. That is the lamest thing I have ever heard. Read that in the article and facepalmed. How about you ask one of your 27 folks on the scene to take 5 minutes out of their day and make a call sometime between 9 am, when you first started discussing it, and 8 pm when the event started. Can't you guys even do that for something that was billed as a high profile public gathering?

This is the thing I cannot stand most about government... no sense of urgency... no attempts to communicate... probably the same types of weenies who set in their cube and don't answer a ringing phone. Can't take the time to make a simple call because there's no budget for it. Can on the other hand pay 27 people to decend on an event during off hours. How cost effective. Grrrrr.

[Questor]

Meanwhile, go to the health department's website and pick a health report at random. The number of restaurants in the metro constantly cited for roaches and rat droppings is appalling. The fact that they are never shut down on the spot is pretty clear. But you guys shuttered one of the taco trucks Friday for not having screens on windows. Really??

[Thunder]

That is a good article and our member, Brian Bates, got his fame on it. But... Steve, I don't see Brian questioning about why they did not do this before the start of the event. I brought that up first. lol

[bornhere]

Steve's story linked above says the organizers were denied an outdoor permit and decided to do it, anyway. I can't imagine, under those circumstances, what other outcome anyone would expect.

[Thunder]

What I'd really like to know why the outdoor event was denied? Shouldn't the permit regarding zoning be for B&M establishment? The city really screwed up big time by denying a temporary permit for outdoor that would be one day a month or one day a year. In my opinion, zoning should not be applied to temporary mobile food trucks and outdoor events.

[bornhere]

I don't know what the cutoff point is on outdoor permits, ie, when one is required and when it isn't. If the city told them they didn't need one, that's one thing. If they told them they couldn't have one, that's something else.

But zoning does have to be applied. You wouldn't want your next door neighbor to set up a taco truck in his driveway. Well, I assume you wouldn't... maybe I'm wrong.

[Larry OKC]

Steve's story linked above says the organizers were denied an outdoor permit and decided to do it, anyway. I can't imagine, under those circumstances, what other outcome anyone would expect.

True, BUT it also mentioned that the lack of that permit was NOT one of the citations/reason given for the shut down. If it was it would have been a simple matter, requiring a single inspector, to end the event.

[Larry OKC]

Certainly not, but I choose to value facts over paranoid reaction. This thread turned into a lynch mob way before FACTS are discovered. ...

Agreed. Can we have one now that the facts are known? Please read Steve's article & Timeline.

http://newsok.com/timeline-of-oklaho...adlines_widget

http://newsok.com/oklahoma-city-coun...rticle/3599409

I'll repeat what I posted over there (with some additions):

What a bunch of male bovine excrement.

Even though they denied it, documents show that the various departments/agencies knew of this hours and days in advance. The event organizers and vendors thought they had everything needed (except for one permit which wasn't even included as the reason for the shutdown). Vendors were denied the opportunity to correct the problem. Officials claim they didn't have time to address it before it happened yet their own emails prove they had all day to do so. Officials say that this wasn't a coordinated effort yet some admit to doing just that. They all happened to show up at the same event and essentially the same time by coincidence? Anything is possible, but how probable?

Mentioned by officials once again in this story, that this was the first stop in a citywide crackdown and specifically the first stop on the way to southside locations. Yet I haven't seen a single media report detailing what other locations were raided/cited/shut down.

How could the City Manager be there and be surprised by what happened? Would LOVE to hear what he had to say about the City Departments he oversees.

KEEP ON THEM STEVE!

[Roadhawg]

Remind me not to go eat downtown without not checking with the food swat team first

http://newsok.com/agencies-defend-ra...ad_story_title

Ooops ... didn't know there was already a thread on this

[Urban Pioneer]

Yep about Couch. I'm definitely going to watch the council meeting this morning to see what he and Meg say.

Also talked to one of the owners and they are busy organizing next month's event.

[BBatesokc]

I don't know what the cutoff point is on outdoor permits, ie, when one is required and when it isn't. If the city told them they didn't need one, that's one thing. If they told them they couldn't have one, that's something else.

But zoning does have to be applied. You wouldn't want your next door neighbor to set up a taco truck in his driveway. Well, I assume you wouldn't... maybe I'm wrong.

This happens all the time for 'special events.' I've been to at least 4 parties this summer alone on residential property were 1-3 food trucks were present. No permit was apparently required or questioned. At two of those events police arrived but quickly left (one with a taco) after expressing at least one neighbor had called police to complain. One event in Heritage Hills caused electricity to go out in the immediate area after a combination of a food truck and a band drew too much electricity.

[BBatesokc]

Yep about Couch. I'm definitely going to watch the council meeting this morning to see what he and Meg say.

Also talked to one of the owners and they are busy organizing next month's event.

I predict next month's event will by HUGE simply because the city clamped down the first time.

[foodiefan]

:Also talked to one of the owners and they are busy organizing next month's event.

[bornhere]

One event in Heritage Hills caused electricity to go out in the immediate area after a combination of a food truck and a band drew too much electricity.

Makes a pretty good case for permitting events like that.

[BBatesokc]

Makes a pretty good case for permitting events like that.

Actually makes a better case for 'sh*t happens.' Will be a sad day when/if the city says you have to have a permit (aka permission) to have some people over at your house.

[Roadhawg]

I don't know what the cutoff point is on outdoor permits, ie, when one is required and when it isn't. If the city told them they didn't need one, that's one thing. If they told them they couldn't have one, that's something else.

But zoning does have to be applied. You wouldn't want your next door neighbor to set up a taco truck in his driveway. Well, I assume you wouldn't... maybe I'm wrong.

I wouldn't mind... be pretty covenant.

[CurtisJ]

So according to Steve's latest on newsok, 26 agents from 7 different agencies all showed up to the same event at the same time? And it wasn't coordinated? I think someones pissing on our legs and telling us its raining...

Glad to hear that they are organizing for next month.

[bornhere]

How about you ask one of your 27 folks on the scene to take 5 minutes out of their day and make a call sometime between 9 am, when you first started discussing it, and 8 pm when the event started. Can't you guys even do that for something that was billed as a high profile public gathering?

Even Clay Bennett didn't just run an NBA basketball ad in the paper and then wait for the city to come to him and set the thing up.

Part of the reason there's a permit process, folks, is so that the city will know about these events in advance and can assist in making sure preparations meet regulations for health and safety. I know that in years past, they've sent people to the Paseo Arts Festival in advance to do compliance walkthroughs. Of course, the PAF actually does the permit process.

If you get turned down for a permit, that's not code for 'go ahead and do it anyway'.

And somewhat off topic, but if someone set up live music and a food truck next to my house and shut down my electric service in the process, I would be thinking something other than 'sh*t happens'.

[MustangGT]

If you get turned down for a permit, that's not code for 'go ahead and do it anyway'.

And somewhat off topic, but if someone set up live music and a food truck next to my house and shut down my electric service in the process, I would be thinking something other than 'sh*t happens'.

I concur precisely with both sentiments.

[jpeaceokc]

A little dark humor for this august occasion. . . from http://www.bobwaldrop.net/?p=869

Comrades! Commissars! Members of the State Central Committee for the Suppression of Free Enterprise and the Encouragement of Misery Among the People!

Let us salute the government of Oklahoma City, which in a bold move, struck down a nefarious attempt by entrepreneurs to make delicious food and sell it to the public from trucks, which were gathered and conveniently located for their customers’ enjoyment. This disgusting plot was smashed thanks to the interagency efforts of the Oklahoma City Planning Department, the Oklahoma County Health Department, and other local and state agencies. (For details, see Inspectors serve up trouble for food trucks.) See also this article from the Oklahoman — OKC, State Agencies, defend sweep of Midtown outdoor food market.

The owner of a coffee shop arranged with several other entrepreneurs who operate the increasingly popular “food trucks” to rendezvous and sell their disgustingly delicious food to the public. Fortunately, like such people do, they publicized their plan and thus Oklahoma City was able to smash that plot before it got out of hand. And they did it in fine style too. Did they contact the entrepreneurs in advance and warn them they would be shut down? No, in true Gestapo style, they let the event get started and then they descended upon the venue en masse – with weapons – and did a fine job of intimidating the public, the employees, and the capitalists in charge. There are numerous anecdotal reports floating around from eye witnesses describing the feelings of fear and anxiety that the City’s storm troopers produced among the people. This is how it should be done folks — this raid was an excellent example of government at work — suppressing initiative and destroying happiness and INCREASING MISERY. And since the food trucks had stocked perishable foods and were cooking when raided, a tremendous amount of food was actually wasted, which together with the fines that will be levied will deplete the pockets of these nefarious entrepreneurs and enrich the bureaucrats of Oklahoma City.

Brand Oklahoma City must be proud of this quick action that increased the misery index of Oklahoma City. Let us follow their example and keep doing the best we can to suppress prosperity, destroy individual initiative, and stop the disgusting pursuit of happiness that is so popular among people who don’t really know what is good for them. We are the government, we know what people need, and it is not happiness, it is misery.

[OKCMallen]

Certainly not, but I choose to value facts over paranoid reaction. This thread turned into a lynch mob way before FACTS are discovered. I have been adamant that when people in power abuse it they should swiftly and firmly be dealt with. However, I do not subscribe to the notion that all authority is evil just because it is authority. And all powerful people are selfish and corrupt. I choose to consider reality instead of suspicions. I know it is much more fun and dramatic to start calling for firings, riots, etc. when some of the fun is taken away, but I choose to wait for a trial instead of mob justice.

My sarcasm was directed at the fact the post couldn't just end with talking about what a fantastic and fun experience of the beach was, but had to include a line about the "power brokers". It gets almost comical. Thank goodness Steve takes an adult, professional and even handed approach to finding out what happens in this city. He and several others bring sanity to this board when it gets kind of silly.

The thread is about the heavy-handed tactics the local authorities used, not my vacation. I used that as a parallel: that interesting, progressive, nationally-known areas (i.e.- Venice Beach) do something similar to this on a much larger scale without being shut down.

I'm not surprised you didn't understand my point, though.

[BBatesokc]

... but if someone set up live music and a food truck next to my house and shut down my electric service in the process, I would be thinking something other than 'sh*t happens'.

I'm certain they are probably glad you're not their neighbor too. But they couldn't have known the electricity would go out. Utilities said it was a combination of their electrical needs and so many AC units on in the area. Electricity was out for about 4 hours and none of the 11 houses effected complained.

[Larry OKC]

jpeaceokc: LOL you should sign up and speak at the next Council meeting!

[OKCMallen]

A little dark humor for this august occasion. . . from http://www.bobwaldrop.net/?p=869

Comrades! Commissars! Members of the State Central Committee for the Suppression of Free Enterprise and the Encouragement of Misery Among the People!

Let us salute the government of Oklahoma City, which in a bold move, struck down a nefarious attempt by entrepreneurs to make delicious food and sell it to the public from trucks, which were gathered and conveniently located for their customers’ enjoyment. This disgusting plot was smashed thanks to the interagency efforts of the Oklahoma City Planning Department, the Oklahoma County Health Department, and other local and state agencies. (For details, see Inspectors serve up trouble for food trucks.) See also this article from the Oklahoman — OKC, State Agencies, defend sweep of Midtown outdoor food market.

The owner of a coffee shop arranged with several other entrepreneurs who operate the increasingly popular “food trucks” to rendezvous and sell their disgustingly delicious food to the public. Fortunately, like such people do, they publicized their plan and thus Oklahoma City was able to smash that plot before it got out of hand. And they did it in fine style too. Did they contact the entrepreneurs in advance and warn them they would be shut down? No, in true Gestapo style, they let the event get started and then they descended upon the venue en masse – with weapons – and did a fine job of intimidating the public, the employees, and the capitalists in charge. There are numerous anecdotal reports floating around from eye witnesses describing the feelings of fear and anxiety that the City’s storm troopers produced among the people. This is how it should be done folks — this raid was an excellent example of government at work — suppressing initiative and destroying happiness and INCREASING MISERY. And since the food trucks had stocked perishable foods and were cooking when raided, a tremendous amount of food was actually wasted, which together with the fines that will be levied will deplete the pockets of these nefarious entrepreneurs and enrich the bureaucrats of Oklahoma City.

Brand Oklahoma City must be proud of this quick action that increased the misery index of Oklahoma City. Let us follow their example and keep doing the best we can to suppress prosperity, destroy individual initiative, and stop the disgusting pursuit of happiness that is so popular among people who don’t really know what is good for them. We are the government, we know what people need, and it is not happiness, it is misery.

/thread. Nicely done.