THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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by Michael Monks
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Railing against "gypsies" and "hucksters" before his comments devolved into unfounded warnings about salmonella and hawk handlers in Ohio not washing their hands, Ray Niemeyer of Heringer Meats stated that there are not enough people in Downtown Covington to support food truck operations. "People are struggling to pay their taxes," Niemyer stated, adding, "Why aren't we promoting the existing businesses instead of bringing new competition?"
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The idea that food trucks would be permitted to operate in Covington commercial zones like Downtown did not sit well with Heringer's president who has been in the meat business since 1979. "They're gypsies! I've been around them for years and they're hucksters! There's a lot of gypsies out there," Niemeyer claimed. "Are they paying property tax, payroll tax? I'd like to see how that'll be audited. If we don't pay it we get it stuck up our hind end."
The idea that food trucks would be permitted to operate in Covington commercial zones like Downtown did not sit well with Heringer's president who has been in the meat business since 1979. "They're gypsies! I've been around them for years and they're hucksters! There's a lot of gypsies out there," Niemeyer claimed. "Are they paying property tax, payroll tax? I'd like to see how that'll be audited. If we don't pay it we get it stuck up our hind end."
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Niemeyer was not alone in his opposition. "I'm in favor of bringing more traffic to Covington but not during lunch when we have a restaurant we've been operating for forty years that we're trying to operate during lunch," said Pete Jordan, general manager of the Radisson Riverfront Hotel which has two restaurants, Kelly's and the 360 revolving restaurant perched at the top of the cylindrical tower, a Covington landmark. The 360 has not been open during lunch since 2007. "The number of people here to eat lunch in Covington has shrunk significantly."
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Pati Gilliece, co-proprietor of Chez Nora in Mainstrasse Village, who penned an op-ed earlier Tuesday at The River City News in opposition to food trucks, took to the podium to ask two questions: How much research was done and is everyone sure food trucks will do more good than harm?
Niemeyer was not alone in his opposition. "I'm in favor of bringing more traffic to Covington but not during lunch when we have a restaurant we've been operating for forty years that we're trying to operate during lunch," said Pete Jordan, general manager of the Radisson Riverfront Hotel which has two restaurants, Kelly's and the 360 revolving restaurant perched at the top of the cylindrical tower, a Covington landmark. The 360 has not been open during lunch since 2007. "The number of people here to eat lunch in Covington has shrunk significantly."
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Pati Gilliece, co-proprietor of Chez Nora in Mainstrasse Village, who penned an op-ed earlier Tuesday at The River City News in opposition to food trucks, took to the podium to ask two questions: How much research was done and is everyone sure food trucks will do more good than harm?
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Andrew Juengling, Covington's zoning specialist and architect of the food truck ordinance, explained that research was conducted by examining the food truck situation in Portland and in North Carolina, specifically. In addition, Juengling pointed to the success of Covington's Food Truck Invasion a week and a half ago where four hundred orders were taken in three hours. "Ideas like this will help draw people to Covington and see what we have to offer," Juengling claimed.
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The zoning specialist's position was backed enthusiastically by Mayor Chuck Scheper who joined the four city commissioners in approving the ordinance. "We are trying to change the future of this city, trying to get more active, more energy in the city and I believe this is worth trying," the mayor said. Scheper pointed to his own experience at the Invasion saying he saw many people he did not recognize and felt a strong positive energy in the air. The mayor said he spoke with the owners of a forthcoming restaurant (that he did not name) and reported that they told him that they are not concerned at all with the competition. "The point is, we're trying to do something."
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"We do understand the concerns and we will be tracking this and if we have to tweak it, we're going to be changing it," said City Commissioner Sherry Carran. "The more activity you have on the street the more vibrant the city will be."
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Commissioner Steve Casper said that he averages five to eight meals a week in Covington restaurants and these food trucks will not change his eating habits because they do not lend themselves to the needed environment for business meetings.
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"I could be wrong in the next three to four months," said Commissioner Shawn Masters, "but I think it would behoove us to try it."
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Commissioner Steve Frank's vote in favor of the trucks was more lukewarm. "This is a tough one for me because I am not convinced we'll get our share of what belongs to us as taxes," Frank said. "I believe that if this works to our detriment that this commission will walk back any decision that is made."
"I could be wrong in the next three to four months," said Commissioner Shawn Masters, "but I think it would behoove us to try it."
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Commissioner Steve Frank's vote in favor of the trucks was more lukewarm. "This is a tough one for me because I am not convinced we'll get our share of what belongs to us as taxes," Frank said. "I believe that if this works to our detriment that this commission will walk back any decision that is made."
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One concern for some business owners, particularly in Mainstrasse Village, is where the trucks can locate. Th food trucks are confined to private property where they must present signed proof that they have permission to operate there. Each truck will be able to open in Covington ninety days a year with only thirty of those days in one location. The days of operation do not have to be consecutive. (To read the full ordinance with all the regulations, click here.)
One concern for some business owners, particularly in Mainstrasse Village, is where the trucks can locate. Th food trucks are confined to private property where they must present signed proof that they have permission to operate there. Each truck will be able to open in Covington ninety days a year with only thirty of those days in one location. The days of operation do not have to be consecutive. (To read the full ordinance with all the regulations, click here.)
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City solicitor Frank Warnock explained that while the ordinance reads that food trucks cannot operate in the public right-of-way such as sidewalks or streets, he mentioned that Kentucky statute grants cities the right to control their own right-of-way and that theoretically, someday the trucks could be permitted on the sidewalks or streets. "We just have to trust the spirit of this administration and this commission and comply by our own rules," Warnock said.
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As for collecting the money, finance director Bob Due explained that there is an apportionment of net profit to Covington (sales in Covington versus total sales and number of employees in Covington versus total employees). Since the commission approved the ordinance, once it is published it becomes law granting the right of food trucks to operate in Covington.
City solicitor Frank Warnock explained that while the ordinance reads that food trucks cannot operate in the public right-of-way such as sidewalks or streets, he mentioned that Kentucky statute grants cities the right to control their own right-of-way and that theoretically, someday the trucks could be permitted on the sidewalks or streets. "We just have to trust the spirit of this administration and this commission and comply by our own rules," Warnock said.
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As for collecting the money, finance director Bob Due explained that there is an apportionment of net profit to Covington (sales in Covington versus total sales and number of employees in Covington versus total employees). Since the commission approved the ordinance, once it is published it becomes law granting the right of food trucks to operate in Covington.
You know how tough it is to start your own business? Most of us do not have $200,000 to invest into a resturant. Does anyone know that Jungle Jims in Cincinnat started as a fruit stand? America should be built on small business. The health department keeps tabs on these trucks. If you have a problem with a food truck then contact the Health Dept. We should be giving these guys a chance
ReplyDeleteWell, Private parking lot owners are refusing to let any food truck to park, so there will be no foodtruck in Covington. Food truck will move on to serve somewhere else, and Covington will stays the same. The change didn't change anything. I wish we could find the way for everyone to get together and help each other to revibe the city.
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