Night Food Market in Downtown OKC

[Steve]

Pete, not sure if you saw my comment earlier, but more than one of the folks involved with these agencies have mentioned this thread and are sensitive to what's being said. And Thunder.... they're gonna get'cha.
(just kidding)

[Thunder]

Pete, not sure if you saw my comment earlier, but more than one of the folks involved with these agencies have mentioned this thread and are sensitive to what's being said. And Thunder.... they're gonna get'cha.
(just kidding)

If they are gonna get me, I'll be sure to catch it on digital film or digital video and post them on here. Feel free to use the content for your next article on exposing them. :-D

[bornhere]

Unlike you, people do realize sh*t happens.

Here's another example of sh*t happens. Somebody stages a big bash without the proper permits, and the "G" comes and shuts it down.

However, as is often the case around here, sh*t just happens to other people. When it happens to you, it's a moral outrage.

[soonerguru]

Steve,

Kudos to you for some excellent reporting. Great job getting the emails, creating the timeline, etc. It's interesting how much John Maisch changed his tune in the follow up article I just read. Clearly your story, this website, the councilors, and other factors created enough heat to get these folks to back peddle.

It's still very hard to believe that this was not coordinated between agencies, particularly considering the fact they all showed up at the same time as one unified force. It's high comedy that they think the public is this dumb.

Great reporting, Steve!

[ljbab728]

Steve's latest update:

http://newsok.com/oklahoma-city-offi...ad_story_title

[soonerguru]

I wasn't there, but if I had been, I think my major concern would have been that I had just gotten salmonella from something I had eaten.

What a moronic statement. None of these vendors was cited for health violations. Are you suggesting they were serving salmonella-tainted food? Be careful, you could be sued for that.

[soonerguru]

I'm not a Republican (far from it) so I have no connects to the Repub leadership at the Legislature. But some of you GOPers here should talk to your reps about seriously gutting ABLE. It is a total anachronism, a relic of Prohibition. It is a joke we spend precious tax revenue on this kind of Mayberry enforcement. If the GOP in Oklahoma wants to cut state income taxes (as they proclaim they do), they will need to find serious budget cuts. Let's start with ABLE and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics. Colossal wastes of money.

[bornhere]

What a moronic statement. None of these vendors was cited for health violations.

From Steve's story:

another, the Munch Box, was shut down because inspectors said it had no working electricity or refrigeration

Why do you suppose that would be a concern?

[soonerguru]

From Steve's story:



Why do you suppose that would be a concern?

So are you suggesting you would get salmonella from them, as you said in another post? I have no idea what they were serving, so I don't know if the lack of refrigeration was even an issue, as I have no idea what the Munch Box is. It could be freaking cookies or cupcakes for all I know.

[bornhere]

I'm suggesting that improperly stored food is a health risk. I don't think that's controversial.

The point I was trying to make, which I apparently failed to do, is that this was not a 'punish the hip and trendy' raid. All these silly permits are issued for reasons, and they generally have to do with keeping citizens from being made sick or injured by substandard food or inadequate wiring or whatever. Contrary to what you may think, they don't pull this stuff out of their a$$es just to persecute urban sophisticates.

I would also point out that the people who put on the Paseo Arts Festival, the Plaza District Festival, Oktoberfest, the Charlie Christian Jazz Festival, the Reggae Fest, the Rock 'n' Roll Reunion, the Trolley Car District event, the Memorial Marathon, the Red Bud Classic, and a whole bunch of other events manage to somehow get the permits they need without all this sturm und drang and wails of persecution. It doesn't appear to be all that hard to get done, frankly, given the number of people who actually do it.

[BBatesokc]

From Steve's story:



Why do you suppose that would be a concern?

They had electricity, but not an onboard source and the health department wouldn't let them use standard extension cords.

[Roadhawg]

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

I plan on going the next time they have it.

[bluedogok]

I'm not a Republican (far from it) so I have no connects to the Repub leadership at the Legislature. But some of you GOPers here should talk to your reps about seriously gutting ABLE. It is a total anachronism, a relic of Prohibition. It is a joke we spend precious tax revenue on this kind of Mayberry enforcement. If the GOP in Oklahoma wants to cut state income taxes (as they proclaim they do), they will need to find serious budget cuts. Let's start with ABLE and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics. Colossal wastes of money.

The problem is many of the republicans in the Oklahoma legislature are of the "social conservative" variety and not the "limited government" variety. For many of them what ABLE does isn't enough.

[okcpulse]

The problem is many of the republicans in the Oklahoma legislature are of the "social conservative" variety and not the "limited government" variety. For many of them what ABLE does isn't enough.

Then perhaps many of these people should step down. We don't need social agendas in the legislature. We need problem solvers. When are legislators going to accept that pushing social ideology is not what makes a politician? If they are so hell-bent on social agendas, then they should become spokespeople for special interest groups. Social ideology has no place in an entity that was created for the sole purpose of running a state.

My issue with ABLE is that their first reaction to major changes in liquor laws is fear of being swamped in enforcing the laws. Never once have I heard ABLE officials mention the thought of pondering a solution to make new liquor laws work. Heck, when people in Oklahoma started pushing for allowing wine in grocery stores, some officials objected on the grounds of liquor getting into the hands of minors. Is this really a problem in the 34 states that allow wine sales in grocery stores? No. Then, the next concern was how to enforce laws in several thousand new locations (grocery and convenience stores) with the current resources. If ABLE put their minds to good work, a solution to enforcing laws for grocery stores and convenience stores would present itself. But no, they'd rather fear the possibility than face the possibility. This is handled in 34 other states.

I've been in contact with John Maisch before and he seems like a reasonable man that is willing to consider solutions if he is given a good enough case. However, the rest of ABLE needs to be on the same page.

The State Tax Commission has no problem working with local law enforcement agencies in enforcing laws that make sure 3.2 beer does not fall into the hands of minors. I'll quote President Roosevelt after the Pearl Harbor attacks... "Don't tell me it can't be done."

[bluedogok]

My parents and my sister live in the district that elects Sally Kern every cycle in spite of their votes. My parents are pretty conservative but not social conservatives. Unfortunately there are a lot of people their age and older in that area who really believe in the principles of a theocratic government and keep electing those types to office there. Most of the new people in that area are of Hispanic origins and may or may not be voters. If they become citizens and start voting that could radically change the voting block currently in that district but until that happens and the older, more conservative folks move or die off, they will still keep electing Kern and her type.

[rcjunkie]

The problem is many of the republicans in the Oklahoma legislature are of the "social conservative" variety and not the "limited government" variety. For many of them what ABLE does isn't enough.

You better take a hot shower and rub Icy Hot on your arms, they must really be sore from stretching this into a political matter.

[bombermwc]

I'm not a big conspiracy theorist so i have a hard time believe everyone had it in for the market. if you don't get the permits required for something and you continue the event anyway, then you're asking for and deserve the citations coming your way. And if you are found to not meet code when an inspector comes by, then again, here's your citation. If everyone had been doing as they were supposed to, then inspectors wouldn't have found anything to cite....50 of them on site or not.

[Larry OKC]

Bomber. Me either, but please go back and read the various articles and the time line of events. Then compare contradictory statements by officials involved. Consider the back-peddling from day to day by those same folks. Are the organizers blameless? Of course not. But it appears that they were making good faith efforts to comply. When they tried to rectify what was wrong, they were denied the opportunity to do so. To believe that 27 or whatever number from various agencies showed up at the same place and essentially the same time was purely a fluke seems to stretch believability.

[Steve]

Larry, without getting into details, I can tell you that one of the involved agencies angrily emailed last Saturday insisting I was wrong about them even being present at the market and swore I made up the figure of more than two dozen involved in the raid. They insisted there were no more than a handful of people involved, total, and that I do a retraction.
We also know that city/county health was vehemently denying they did anything wrong by having all the inspectors present - now we know they're saying they did the wrong thing by staging at the event and won't do it again. And there's more information coming out tomorrow that indicates the city wasn't enjoying its finest moment either.
So yeah... there's definitely been some backtracking by the various authorities. And we've definitely had some inaccurate or contradictory statements. Likewise, Laura Massenat, owner of Elemental Coffee, neglected to tell me that first night that she had been rejected for the event permit. I said last weekend I was dubious about the veracity of some of the information I was being provided. Do I think more of the involved parties are being forthright now? Yep. Do I think I'm now getting the full truth? No. Some online Monday morning quarterbacks are questioning why I'm delving into this so much. What I'm after isn't a "gotcha" story - I'm out to show readers how the system really works (or doesn't work), and give them the power to tell their elected leaders whether that system is acceptable.

[kevinpate]

... What I'm after isn't a "gotcha" story - I'm out to show readers how the system really works (or doesn't work), and give them the power to tell their elected leaders whether that system is acceptable.

Hmmm, 'magine that. A journalist doin' what journalists do. Good on ya! And, with complete sincerity, you keep on doin' it.

[MDot]

I haven't been keeping up with this much but Steve, from what I have read on it, you've done a darn good job of keeping up with this and getting to the bottom line and giving us the facts. Kudos and keep up the good work my man.

[Steve]

Thanks! Here's the latest: http://newsok.com/article/3600556

[bluedogok]

You better take a hot shower and rub Icy Hot on your arms, they must really be sore from stretching this into a political matter.

I didn't make it into a political matter, I was making a comment about okcpulse's political comment about why ABLE will never be eliminated of have their powers reigned in. There are many who have no problems using the government to enforce their wishes on others, that was all.

[Larry OKC]

Steve; no doubt, it isn't surprising with a developing story, from day-to-day as this one has been that something might get mis-reported or an official changes their story after they are presented with the documents that show they "misspoke". Have to love it when the contradictions happen within the same article though. LOL

Noticed in your recent update (post #247), they keep talking about the supposed Southside raid they had planned and were headed. Know you have said you haven't seen any details/confirmation of it yet. What are they saying about it? Anything? I haven't seen any report in any of the media confirming that any sort of citywide crackdown or southside raid happened. Well other than the person that keeps posting over in your blog that is supposedly a worker in one of her relative's truck on 29th....

Keep up the good work Steve!

[MDot]

Thanks! Here's the latest: http://newsok.com/article/3600556

That's just crazy! I don't see why they (ABLE) feel the need to do this, the Night Food Market was a hit from my understanding and would love to see them start operating it again