So a Buddhist monk walks up to Bethlehem hot dog man Edwin Padilla and says, “Make me one with everything.”That's certainly what Bethlehem is trying to do these days - make everyone happy - over a controversy it pretty much created itself. In a bad economy, laid off Edwin Padilla rolls out a humble hot dog cart to support his family. He gets all the necessary permits from Bethlehem, which take several months. Then he opens for business. That's the American way, right?
Not anymore. Some south side businesses are angry about the competition, and they pay taxes and make campaign contributions. So Bethlehem officials comb through their ordinances until they find just the right one to stop this horrible hot dog menace. No right-of-way permit.
Things take an even stranger twist when this Padilla gets nailed by a hit-and-run driver. No one can provide a complete description, but one eyewitness thought the driver looked a lot like Emeril Lagasse and is sure he shouted "Bam!" just as he rolled over the hot dog dude's foot.
Naturally, most of us tend to sympathize with the little guy, so people have worked themselves into a lather over "arrogant" city officials and businesses. "Save the Bethlehem Hot Dog Man!" is created on Facebook, and has picked up 2,614 members and 419 wall posts
The latest resolution is a proposed ordinance that will actually auction off five permits every three years to the highest bidder. Lauded by an assistant city solicitor as the "fairest" thing to do, it's probably the opposite. It completely ignores a lottery or some other selection process that would be less dependent on the size of someone's bank account.
Bethlehem Mayor and Congressional wannabe John Callahan, who has yet to share his views about medical care reform, is only a little more forthcoming about the hot dog dude. He's walking the tightrope. He likes sausages as much as the next guy, but does not want to offend some Bethlehem businesses. So he thinks carts "need to be in the appropriate location" and has his lawyers making sure that the Christmas City is not overrun by wieners. You see, a hot dog cart draws working stiffs looking for a quick lunch, and that's probably out of whack with a casino nearby.
In the hot dog joke I started this post with, the Buddhist monk is told he'll get no change. "Change must come from within." I have to wonder whether these hot dog wars and apparent disregard for a little guy, coupled with a glitzy casino, are a sign that Bethlehem is changing from within, and in a bad way.
38 comments:
I see you are into full gear on your smear campaign against Mayor Callahan. You have really shown your true colors in the past trying to smear good people who have the audacity to consider opposing your mancrushes.
Heaven forbid they exercise their constitutionsal rights and run against an idol of Ohare. Of course you are well within your rights to write defamatory articles and pure hate filled snarky pieces about them. When there was a chance your mancrush Stoffa had opponents you showed your vicious nature and now again with Dent.
You are a one trick pony. Then again, these are people with excellent reputations while you are a disgraced hack.
Bernie: Technically Padilla did not get all the permits. He needs a right of way permit. To get that he needs a property owners permission to be in front of its store. Padilla does not have it. Padilla's argument is that he was not told her needed one by people in City Hall. Padilla should not have relied on advice obtained from City Hall workers. Most people when they start a business, go hire an attorney to advise them of laws and needed permits. Ignorance or mistake of law of is not a defense.
The city administration has allowed Padilla to operate without this permit and was working with him to get compliant.
Politics aside, there was a time in this country when the little guy could get a break. In today's world startups are pounced on by the bigger fish in the pond who don't want encroachment on a good thing.
EXAMPLE: (It's about the kids. It's always about the kids. Who wish harm on the kids!)
In the old days a 'stay at home mom' could make a couple of extra bucks watching a few kids for mothers who worked. In today's corporate daycare world that same mom would be fined and locked up.
She'd need insurance (bonded). Proper background security check with the FBI (hell my wife had to pay to fill one out just to chaperone a school trip). Application to run an at home business. Fire, building code and zoning approvals for her livingroom. And be LICENSED as a day car provider. Oh and don't forget all of that requires the handicapped accessible requirements be fulfilled. Filing taxes on your babysitting income.
Don't try baking bread or making cookies to sell either! Many schools won't even accept them for bake sales anymore.
It's not about just some hot dog vender.. it's about being owned, controlled and milked by the bigger fish who don't want you swimming in their pond..
For months readers have relished in rumors about local rich guy in mustardly deep w. city mayor and planned hot dog gazebos to dot the Southside former train track right of way.
In steps Padilla.
Trouble.
Interesting new fight technique.
See/Hear all over: TV, radio, print. Did it start with Chris Matthews and his thrill?
"The audacity to consider opposing your man crushes."
She'd need insurance (bonded). Proper background security check with the FBI (hell my wife had to pay to fill one out just to chaperone a school trip).
Are you serious? This really happened to your wife!
Anon 9:17:
What rumors? Elaborate?
I regularly attend council meetings and follow city politics closely and have not heard of plans for hot dog vendors on the greenway (which is currently under construction).
I would think if there was a plan to put hot dog vendors on the greenway, the greenway would have been one of the spots chosen for the five licenses.
Also, last time I checked, vending was an unauthorized activity in city parks.
Yeah, the jab at Callahan and health care (15 months out of the election, mind you) was pretty pathetic.
The perfect place for a hot dog cart? Where the guy started, 4th and New. Bethlehem is a joke. So let the hot dog carts set up, competition will drive the ones out who exceed capacity. I can;t believe the eating establishments on the south side would feel threatened by a hot dog cart. They want to make the South Side an attraction and promote foot traffic and then kill anything that makes it like an actual downtown environment.
Callahan has stated his intention to challenge Dent. The health care debate is one of the most important of our time. He has an opportunity to lead or hide. He's chosen to hide because his side has been "death-paneled" in this debate. He's smart and feckless at the same time.
"I see you are into full gear on your smear campaign against Mayor Callahan. You have really shown your true colors in the past trying to smear good people who have the audacity to consider opposing your mancrushes."
This story is not really about Callahan per se, although if he were really a leader he would be more out front on this issue. It's about Bethlehem. Since when are hot dog carts suc a nuisance as to require denizens of city officials to deal w/ the problem? Is the city that concerned about interference w/ the casino? Doesn't it feel any obligation at all to citizens who have smaller bank accounts?
"Bernie: Technically Padilla did not get all the permits. He needs a right of way permit. To get that he needs a property owners permission to be in front of its store."
Actually, Pedilla had everything the city itself told him to have, before he went into business. It was only after some of bethlehem's other citizens started complaining that city lawyers looked through its ordinances to see what they could find wrong.
In one instance, the city actually removed parking on Main Street to accomodate a new Italian restaurant that wanted more room for sidewalk tables. I think the ycan handle a fewe hot dog carts.
Anon 9:33,
I have not heard that rumor, but there have been enough well-documented instances of blatant favoritism to developers with a penchant for campaign contributions. Starters and Riverport come to mind. Thise folks get outright grants and favorable tax treatment while the little guy gets stepped on.
Anon 9:34,
Yeah, this is mostly about where Bethlehem is headed. But I suppose it's a jab at Callahan, too. So what? Last time I checked, this was still America and criticism of elected officials was still permitted. Moreover, there is nothing personal in my criticism. I think it's worth noting that, just as with health care reform, Callahan runs from controversy instead of leading.
I don't understand the restaurants feeling threatened by a hot dog stand either. I can't see two coworkers saying, "What do you want today? Indian, Mexican, or Italian?" and the other saying, "Let's just each buy a hot dog and go back to the office." NY has restaurants and hot dog stands and so does Philly. How do they do it? We must contact their mayors and find out their secrets.
Bernie wrote: "Actually, Pedilla had everything the city itself told him to have, before he went into business. It was only after some of bethlehem's other citizens started complaining that city lawyers looked through its ordinances to see what they could find wrong."
He had everything some department's told him he needed. He did not have the right of way permit.
Also, I believe the city was being responsive to its citizens concerns.
Also, if the hot dog guy has so much support, how comes only 25 people showed up to discuss the ordinance? And at least 8-10 of them were against vendors.
To be effective, the support has to show up.
"He had everything some department's told him he needed. He did not have the right of way permit."
Look, he did not open up shop until he though he was legit. He did all he could to get all the necessary permits and was assured he was OK. When the city decided to shut him down, it first started giving him tickets. He paid those. Then its lawyers found that right of way requirement. This is exactly as I've reported it.
"if the hot dog guy has so much support, how comes only 25 people showed up to discuss the ordinance? And at least 8-10 of them were against vendors."
Are you out of your mind? Look at the Facebook page. He has 2600 supporters. Callahan has 470. And by the way, since when does the loudest voice rule?
Someone in city hall gave him bad information. His reliance on that bad information does not ok the fact that he was not legal. The city corrected itself and Padilla was informed he was not legal.
If you would have went to the city committee meeting last week, you would have heard several other vendors who tried to set up a stand and were given the correct advice.
Now Padilla thinks he should be grandfathered in. Why? What about the others who were told they could not operate?
Padilla is not the pioneer that the media and Bernie are making him out to be.
2600 supporters on a facebook site does not mean much. They should come speak on his behalf at City Council meetings? Padilla had maybe 12-15 supporters at the meeting.
Also, for the record, I am not a supporter of the auctioning off of the licenses. I believe a lottery would be more effective. I do support a limited number of vendors in the city if they are going to using city owned property and public rights of way.
"Someone in city hall gave him bad information. His reliance on that bad information does not ok the fact that he was not legal. The city corrected itself and Padilla was informed he was not legal"
If a city gives me a construction permit and allows me to build a home in contravention of zoning, and later discovers that error, there is no judge that would order the home torn down. It's called equitable estoppel. The same principle applies to the hot dog guy. It is not his fault the city gave him bad advice, and he relied on it to his detriment. In fact, it is only AFTER the complaints from a number of well-heeled citizens that the city even gave a shit and began looking for ways to shut this guy down.
"Padilla is not the pioneer that the media and Bernie are making him out to be."
I have not made him out to be anything. I've simply reported, factuallu, waht has happened. How interesting that now you find it necessary to attack this guy's character. Give it a rest.
"for the record, I am not a supporter of the auctioning off of the licenses."
Since you're anonymous, nothing you say is for the record. The same ass't city solicitor who found that ordinance has declared that an auction is fair. Of course, nothing about what has happened is fair at all.
That is an apples and oranges comparison.
The difference is that no right-of-way permit was issued. The code enforcement officer would shut someone down for doing work on their house without a permit.
I was not attacking Padilla's character. I was stating that others have tried to have a hot dog cart in the city. Padilla is not the first.
"2600 supporters on a facebook site does not mean much."
Really? Then it looks like Callahan is in trouble.
Listen, I attend public meetings all the time. if you can get 10 people to actually attend one of them over a specifioc issue, you're doing quite well. But I did not know Bethlehem was a mob rule municipality. When did that supplant the home rule charter?
"That is an apples and oranges comparison. The difference is that no right-of-way permit was issued. The code enforcement officer would shut someone down for doing work on their house without a permit."
If the city had assured a homeowner that his work was legit, and he built an addition, there is no judge that would order it torn down. It's called equitable estoppel. The city in this instance, after assuring the hot dog guy that he is legit, is equitable estopped from interfering with his business and right now could face legal action for that interference. Does Bethlehem have some deep, dark desire to be constantly paying out civil awards? Come on. Be honest.
"I was not attacking Padilla's character. I was stating that others have tried to have a hot dog cart in the city. Padilla is not the first."
When you say he is not the person we make him out to be, you certainly imply something about him. But I'll accept your explanation.
when taxpaying citzens of the city (in this case small business owners) see something that they don't like, they have every right to fight it. They pay taxes. They vote. It is the job of city gov't in this case to balance how it will handle the conflict. city council is trying to do so and the mayor, contrary to your uninformed assertion, is working on the legislation as the conduit between departments and city council. But you are Bernie the Great and therefore know the absolute truth.
What I know is that the city let this guy operate and now is trying to shut him down. What I also know is that the mayor was very much behind the effort to put this guy out of business. But because it has become a political hot potato, he's taking a much less visible role. He's a conduit? He runs those departments. He runs the department that give this guy an OK. He instructs city lawyers to find a way to shut him down. He giveth and He taketh away. And I'm slammed for pointing it out. You may kill the messenger, but not the message.
If the mayor is trying to facilitate a solution, I'll be happy to post his public statement explaining why he asked city lawyers to find a way to shut this guy down. I'd be happy to post Callahan's explanation about how a department under his supervision could allow this guy to operate illegally, to put it in your words. I'd like to know whether he supports the notion that people on shoestring budgets shold bid for the right to sell hot dogs. Since you seem to have your finger on the city's pulse, please forward my request to Hizzoner.
"Anon 9:33,
I have not heard that rumor, but there have been enough well-documented instances of blatant favoritism to developers with a penchant for campaign contributions. Starters and Riverport come to mind. Thise folks get outright grants and favorable tax treatment while the little guy gets stepped on.
Anon 9:34,
Yeah, this is mostly about where Bethlehem is headed. But I suppose it's a jab at Callahan, too. So what? Last time I checked, this was still America and criticism of elected officials was still permitted. Moreover, there is nothing personal in my criticism. I think it's worth noting that, just as with health care reform, Callahan runs from controversy instead of leading."
will we see similar criticism, and similar analysis, with respect to Dent and his PAC cntributions?
It is much harder to make a connection on the federal level, where contributions are limited and so much more money is needed. But I've been pretty consistent in my criticism of P2P.
To my knowledge, Dent has never secured favorable tax treatment and grants for a constituent, and then stomped all over his potential competiton.
I wonder how many of these anonymous folks actually live in Bethlehem...
The city is not headed in the right direction anymore.
Interesting that all these pro-City comments are posted anonymously...the same thing happens on my blog...with the exception of Mayor Panto, who, to his credit, has the guts to post his name.
What's nice about the hot dog carts in D.C., a consumer can negotiate price. I only negotiate when I buy a hot pretzel. No way I am paying $3.00 for a pretzel. There are carts even in the ritzy sections. Those carts are dressed up a little bit. My stop on the Red Line, Takoma Station, there is a cart at the exit/entrance to the Metro Station. An Ethiopian woman runs that cart. She is situated between two delis, a 7-11, a pizza shop, and a barber. If you watch her closely, you will see all of the merchants, especially the deli workers, eat from her cart.
I wonder if the problems in Bethlehem are small town and narrow viewpoint create unnecessary problems.
Peace, ~~Alex
Hey your no "Nature Boy", angry Priest. settle down and eat a hot dog.
Background Check: Anonymous said, Are you serious? This really happened to your wife!
Lookie here: 1: block must be checked for Purpose for Clearance. Do not check more than one block.
B: Check the School Block if seeking to have involvement within a school (public, private vocational, technical, nursing) for any reason.
One of many attacks on John Callahan. A good man attacked by an angry disbarred, substance abuser loser.
Don't worry John, go for it. Ohare is just a bitter, angry man who has nothing but a computer and his hate.
While you post comments at 3:29 AM.
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