Night Food Market in Downtown OKC

[mheaton76]

Further related reading from around the web:

http://www.theatlantic.com/national/...permit/244250/

and this one:

http://http://reason.com/blog/2011/0...the-food-truck

[Roadhawg]

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.

+1000

[bornhere]

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.

You mean they didn't complain to you. I suspect they complained to someone.

[soonerguru]

Why on earth was this thread moved from one of the main boards? Too much traffic? Come on, moderators! This easily fits under Urban Core or Civic Issues.

[Pete]

Not sure how it ended up in Current Events... Was probably my mistake.

Moving it to Civic Issues.

[BBatesokc]

You mean they didn't complain to you. I suspect they complained to someone.

You assume too much and know too little. They wouldn't complain to me at all. They are all in the HOA and nobody had a problem with it. Unlike you, people do realize sh*t happens. Of course these are people with shared driveways, 100 year old plumbing and learn to get along.

[Questor]

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.

The issue I still have is the article that Steve wrote says that organizers sought, and got, feedback from officials and named an official that they got confirmation from that all their ducks were in a row, and then that same government entity shut them down basically by saying the official's earlier direction was incorrect. I mean they didn't say that, good luck getting an official to ever uniquivically admit they were wrong or made a mistake... which is a whole other topic unto itself, but if records really show they had previously said the event was good to go then changed their mind and never bothered to contact the event planners then that is a problem.

On a separate issue, I agree that the organizers should not have proceeded without whatever permit it was they were turned down on. I would like to hear more about that. But Steve's article says that particular permit was not the issue and had nothing to do with Health or ABLE's shutting down of the trucks.

[Questor]

So what happened during today's council meeting?

[Urban Pioneer]

So what happened during today's council meeting?

Meg Salyer said that she was working with City Manager Jim Couch to try to streamline or at least clarify what all the city approvals are needed for such event to cut down on confusion. Skip Kelly went on a rant about how people were treated hosting this event and previous past events by enforcement agents.

It seems as though all the bad publicity has given the planners of this event even more tenacity and determination. Apparently the food market is well on its way to becoming a monthly event with some of the organizers busily working the ropes on how to make sure all their ducks are in a row for next month.

[Pete]

I would bet that this entire mess will actually end up being a bit of blessing in disguise.

1) The publicity will only help the event
2) Law / code enforcement personnel will likely be easier to work with in the future (understanding they are under greater scrutiny)
and
3) The lessons learned will help others who will no doubt attempt similar events, as this one seems destined for success

[Thunder]

Amen, Pete! The agents are very much aware that the next time they attempt to harm the economy, the potential is there for a huge riot that will rival historic riots. We do not want that to happen. Hoping to see next month have more trucks. Is there a web site? We need accessible info on date and time as I'd like to be there in case the agents attempt their tricks...they'll have to get through me first.

[MustangGT]

the potential is there for a huge riot that will rival historic riots.

Delusional I am sure. The folks that attend these events are not the gutter/ghetto fools that loose control and run around and burn down their own neighborhoods. These are educated folk who take legal/political and not "Thunder" actions.

[Thunder]

Delusional I am sure. The folks that attend these events are not the gutter/ghetto fools that loose control and run around and burn down their own neighborhoods. These are educated folk who take legal/political and not "Thunder" actions.

Nope, not a Thunder action, because I will never take part in a riot. However, you are being delusional, because you think that only gutter/ghetto fools take part in riots. Not true, not true one bit. There can be many people just like you that will just simply snap and do their part in a riot.

[BBatesokc]

If the permitting issue is a zoning one, I don't see how this is going to be a quick and easy fix. I've seen zoning issues take many months to sort out. Are there avenues to expedite the process or make exceptions?

[MustangGT]

There can be many people just like you that will just simply snap and do their part in a riot.

Neither will I. Now back to the cause at hand.

[MustangGT]

If the permitting issue is a zoning one, I don't see how this is going to be a quick and easy fix. I've seen zoning issues take many months to sort out. Are there avenues to expedite the process or make exceptions?

Depedning upon who is doing the asking I would say yes. But only if it is one of the prefferred movers and shakers. A regular piker probably would not have a chance.

[Steve]

I would bet that this entire mess will actually end up being a bit of blessing in disguise.

1) The publicity will only help the event
2) Law / code enforcement personnel will likely be easier to work with in the future (understanding they are under greater scrutiny)
and
3) The lessons learned will help others who will no doubt attempt similar events, as this one seems destined for success

You are a very wise man. And I believe you are 110 percent correct.

[Larry OKC]

Agree with Pete 1000%. The publicity this has gotten has folks talking. Lost count of how many people I heard discussing this at various places as I ran errands today (and no, i didn't bring the subject up). If everything had gone as planned, would there be this much awareness of the event? Doesn't hurt that the public sentiment is squarely behind the event organizers & vendors.

[MustangGT]

Sadly Larry the public can be very fickle and forgetful. If the next event is two or more months away by that time the public will have forgotten and gone onto something else. Even if reminded the public would be pretty apathetic. Public sympathy is pretty effective short term but long term not really so much. IMHO

[Steve]

Next event will be Sept. 30.

[Pete]

Steve, you deserve a great deal of credit for covering this so thoroughly and putting key people on the spot.

Otherwise, we would have been left with "they didn't have the right permits" and that would have been that.

[MustangGT]

I agree that Steve has thankfully brought this to light. If it had been left to the vendors, organizers, and most folks there lack a certain cache with the media that Steve brings to the table. The scrutiny issue works both ways however. Not only will the "G" be on better behavior the folks in charge and the vendors have zero latitude in absolute compliance. If not next time at sometime in the future the "G" when you least expect it can and probably will make life difficult. It is the way of the world. And the way they act can be very, very subtle.

[Urban Pioneer]

Both of you have helped the process and the downtown community. The merging of online media meets old school reporting is a powerful one.

[Double Edge]

Now then. If this would turn from a few food vendors into a Lost Horizon Night Market, we would have something.

In the meanwhile, I hope they get it worked out.

[rcjunkie]

Amen, Pete! The agents are very much aware that the next time they attempt to harm the economy, the potential is there for a huge riot that will rival historic riots. We do not want that to happen. Hoping to see next month have more trucks. Is there a web site? We need accessible info on date and time as I'd like to be there in case the agents attempt their tricks...they'll have to get through me first.

Now if that doesn't scare them away, I don't know what will!!