Montrose - Daily Press

MONTROSE — They wanted to provide free snacks for Main in Motion attendees Thursday. Instead, two local banks found their treat tables shuttered because they did not have the temporary permits required by law.

Montrose County Environmental Health Manager Richard Thompson said he had no choice but to ask Wells Fargo to stop handing out cotton candy, or to tell NuVista Federal Credit Union to hold the Sno Cones.

"We did ask a couple people to stop until they got their licenses," he said. "They can get a temporary license for a short time."

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Neither bank could be reached prior to deadline Friday.

Thompson said he didn't make anyone throw the snack items away and he had tried to make sure all vendors knew the requirements in advance of the event.

"I tried to get a list of everyone that was serving food from the chamber ahead of time. Those two weren't on there. I just asked them to stop. It's protecting the public health. We don't want people to get sick," he said.

Montrose Area Merchants Association Director Juli Messenger said it would have been preferable had Thompson contacted the Main in Motion board with his concerns.

She said Main in Motion makes every effort to comply with state regulations, but that confusion is inevitable when there are many vendors.

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Comments

BaldJim wrote on Jul 4, 2009 9:55 AM:

" @ freebie walk,

What do you expect?

It's a long established Montrose tradition that the best (and possibly only) way to draw a crowd to a public function is to provide free food -- and lots of it! "




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GET USED TO IT wrote on Jul 3, 2009 9:07 PM:

" 'PAPERS PLEASE' IS A PHRASE YOU WILL HEAR MORE OFTEN IN THE NEAR FUTURE. "




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the freebie walk wrote on Jul 3, 2009 11:37 AM:

" MIM has no benefit to local business located on main st. MAMA's self promoting thursday evening walk is nothing but a bunch of people trying to find "freebies" from local shop owners. MAMA has no interest in promoting business, only interest in promoting MAMA. this is another example of tax dollars being spent for no clear reason or objective. the MAMA board is clearly unqualified and inept. "




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BaldJim wrote on Jul 3, 2009 7:29 AM:

" Every inch of government red tape is made from harm that came onto the public that they then demanded the government protect them from.

When you think >free food<, think pot-luck dinners / homemade desserts.

Then think liability and liability insurance. When you host a pot-luck dinner, will your homeowner's insurance cover botulism? "




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BJ wrote on Jul 2, 2009 10:23 AM:

" Maybe this is something they learned at the Vail conference?? So far I have not heard one thing they "learned" at the Vail conference.

On the other hand...I think we have a right to have safe food. A new recall on beef is a real concern. Another recall on cookie dough is another. What do we pay any of these people for? "




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the source wrote on Jul 2, 2009 10:02 AM:

" Easy on the CAPS Liz, you're not yelling are you? Hmm, "bank customers telling you how good WF is at following the rules", I can only imagine...
Yes, the event promoter should have known of any req'd permits and notified ALL vendors.
Also, giving out free cotton candy does not support downtown. It promotes WF in the MIM venue. Which is fine. Just don't come off like WF is making a contribution to the community here...
BTW: Did WF pay the $175 vendor fee? And in general, just what is that money allocated to? (MAMA's bank account???) "




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Seriously wrote on Jul 2, 2009 8:24 AM:

" Thank you Liz, I have been a customer for a long time and know that you did not know about this license!!! Hope to see you at MIM!!! "




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LIZ WF BRANCH MANAGER wrote on Jul 1, 2009 8:43 PM:

" WOW..WHAT AN ISSUE I CAUSED WELLS FARGO HAS NEVER BEEN IN MIM..I THOUGHT WHAT A GREAT WAY TO SUPPORT DOWNTOWN..WF IS KNOWN FOR FOLLOWING THE RULES (AS I HEAR ALL THE TIME FROM CUSTOMERS) DID I KNOW A FOOD PERMIT WAS REQUIRED? WAS I TOLD BY MIM WHEN I INFORMED THEM WF WOULD BE GIVING OUT FREE COTTON CANDY? NO!! DO I KNOW NOW? WILLL I BE OUT TOMORROW NIGHT W/MY FOOD PERMIT? YES!! COME SEE ME AND I WILL PERSONALLY HAVE MY PLASTIC GLOVES ON WITH MY PERMIT IN A FRAME READY TO MAKE YOU FREE COTTON CANDY! "




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former MIM business wrote on Jul 1, 2009 6:03 PM:

" The need for a vending license is something that is quite recent. I had a business on Main Street for several years and sold soda outside during MIM. I know other businesses sold or offered food as well on my block. It was only last year that we received word that food vendors needed a temp license. So it is understandable to me that some businesses may not have gotten the memo as it was only enforced as of last year. The MIM board should have sent notification to all vendors beforehand. "




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the source wrote on Jun 30, 2009 9:45 PM:

" Of course a piece of paper doesn't make you safe. Native, let's assume the food concession permit is not another money-grubbing scheme by the gov't. Perhaps the required permit allows for monitoring and inspections to verify compliance. It might also allow a cumulation of data if citizens have a concern or complaint.

PS: Tis' strange the Press could not get ahold of either bank to comment on Friday? Smart bankers. Even "no comment" would have been a comment... "




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the source wrote on Jun 30, 2009 9:33 PM:

" Gloves are not req'd for proper food handling. They are one way to prevent cross contamination when an individual prepares food and handles money. When "eating on the street", watch for this and avoid vendors who take cash & cook at the same time. Also, Free Grazing is the WORST! A bowl of chips & salsa, or any "hand to mouth" munchie. You are then exposed to every (yup...) butt-scratcher that reaches for a bite. You'd rather have exposure to one vendor, who has at least had the rules & regs handed to them, during the permit process. "




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Native wrote on Jun 30, 2009 9:25 PM:

" Since when does that peice of paper make our food safe? that's a joke. you are no safer eating the food if they have a permit, it's just the county gets more money. nothing is free. get used to it "




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Jim wrote on Jun 30, 2009 6:51 PM:

" What about the Mexican food vendor using their bare hands to make tacos? Where's the gloves? Why weren't they written up? "




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Mr. Motion wrote on Jun 30, 2009 6:48 PM:

" Why didn't Main In Motion let the vendors know this? It's been going on for years. I can't believe this the first time this came up. "




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concerned res wrote on Jun 30, 2009 6:38 PM:

" To "reply to concerned res",
I will not correct myself because it is the truth! Are you going to tell me that, if you had a 6 year old girl who contracted e-coli or some infectious disease from improper handling of the FOOD, that that wouldn't make you extremely mad. Are you saying that you wouldn't look back at this and say,"Geez, I wish there had been some regulations for these vendors that are handling our food". "




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Just Joe wrote on Jun 30, 2009 6:37 PM:

" Why is Wells Fargo whinning? Just use some TARP money to pay for the license. Why do they think they are above the law? They need to play by the same rules as the legitimate restaurants. "




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CommonSense wrote on Jun 30, 2009 6:27 PM:

" Whenever you serve any food (including cotton candy and sno-cones) servers need to be trained on hygene and cleanliness.

What's in the news? Salmanella, e-colo, hepetitis, swine flu, etc. So thanks to Mr. Thompson for keeping our food safe. "




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the source wrote on Jun 30, 2009 2:47 PM:

" Gee "Reply to..." I appreciate your concern and evident frustration. However, your rantings provide no useful information and do not address one single fact that I have presented.
I'm rooting for you to move toward cohesiveness in your commentary. Until then, please change your username.
Regards,
the source "




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Megan wrote on Jun 30, 2009 2:47 PM:

" Whoa whoa!! blaming Montrose County in a whole? come on people! this is rediculous and naive. I do also agree the permits are stupid and discouraging to vendors. On the other hand, laws are laws and like it or not, we have to follow them, all of us! "




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the source wrote on Jun 30, 2009 12:12 PM:

" MAMA has been putting on Main In Motion for how long, and someone now needs to inform the event coordinator that a permit is required to dispense food products to the public? Like I said, yeah right...
No, a permit does not insure proper food handling measures, nor hygiene. So enjoy "at your own risk". But be confident that Mr. Thompson is not going to dismiss the proper application of the law, which makes no distinction between sno cones, and a pot of chili that has been sitting in my fridge for three weeks. Want some? It's Free!!! "




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Lil ole me wrote on Jun 30, 2009 11:03 AM:

" what illnesses can we get from snow cones and cotton candy? i mean really, if someone leaves the ice out on a hot day will it go bad? and the sugar will it become rancid? it isnt like they are serving meat and mayo for goodness sake. "




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reply to concerned res wrote on Jun 30, 2009 9:34 AM:

" I am one complaining and I will tell you right now that I am not one to turn around and accuse because I hate that crap too, but thanks for speaking for everyone for them. Make sure you know what the heck your talking about before you start putting words in peoples mouths for them. I for one do not appreciate you doing that. I agree that some people do wait for the lawsuit moment, but not everyone, so correct yourself. "




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OK wrote on Jun 30, 2009 6:42 AM:

" Vendors pay $175.00 fee to participate with Main in Motion. If you have free food, I'm not sure if you pay the 175.00. "




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concerned res wrote on Jun 29, 2009 7:58 PM:

" Just remember folks, it's you that has created this mess. For all of you that say, "Just let them serve their cotton candy and sno-cones without a license", it's these types of people that turn around and file a lawsuit or demand that the Health inspector get fired when their little Bobbie gets sick. It's funny how this carefree attitude disappears when something happens to YOU. "




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Reply to the Source wrote on Jun 29, 2009 4:03 PM:

" Come on seriously. Things are going way overboard with this stupid keeping us safe from germs. Wow the things we did when we were young, you would think I should be dead by now. Give me a break. It is just another thing for people who have nothing better with their time than to think up of this garbage. Get on with more important things. Can't give away free ice cream, but yet we want 18 year olds to drink alcohol? wow! "




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curious wrote on Jun 29, 2009 3:40 PM:

" Anybodh know how much this permit costs? I mean, if it's free, then what's the big deal about having to have one. If there's a charge for one, then I think its a bunch of -you-know-what (gotta pay to give stuff away???). "




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I See All the Kitchens...Wouldnt eat in half of them. wrote on Jun 29, 2009 11:44 AM:

" Mr. Thompson's job is a necessary part of making sure that the food we are served is healthy and safe. However, harassing someone for handing out sno-cones without a permit seems a little over the top, since there are many eating establishments in town that get away with obvious health department violations. Just seems we should worry about the real culprits...not the do-gooders. "




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Native wrote on Jun 29, 2009 8:26 AM:

" Ref: the comment made by "The Source", since when does having a permit keep someone from picking his/her scratching their butt and then handle food?
I understand the need for a permit but that does not guarantee that the food will be safe. "




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kh wrote on Jun 29, 2009 8:02 AM:

" To The Source,

It should have be brought to the board of the Main In Motion, since they need to inform the vendors that will be setting up regularly. If this was done then there would not have been this problem. So good job to Ms. Messenger for nicely stating htat it should have been brought to the bords attention first. "




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get it right wrote on Jun 28, 2009 10:02 PM:

" Once again the county government shows its true colors. What's next? They going to run the banks out of town for trying to be part of the community. They should be more interested in pursuing real criminals and resolving the real issues in this county. "




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the source wrote on Jun 28, 2009 6:55 AM:

" Also, the MAMA Director, Ms. Messenger, is misguided, and possibly overestimating the power of her position in suggesting that Mr. Thompson should have talked to her first. MAMA is not an agent or representative of these banks, and has no viable input to contribute on determining if a law should be enforced.
PS: Do you really think the managers of these banks did not know a permit was needed to distribute food products to the public? Yeah... right.... "




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the source wrote on Jun 28, 2009 6:45 AM:

" Mr. Thompson did the right thing. Enforce an existing law. Believe me people, the requirement of a permit for food vendors is "a good thing". At least a licensed vendor will have been informed of proper food handling methods. Regardless of best intentions, you don't want free-for-all food offerings from any bugger picker or butt sctratcher that has a folding table. "




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casper wrote on Jun 28, 2009 6:26 AM:

" Way to go Mr Thompson.Who knows what kind off sno-cone, cotton candy epidemec we could of had on our hands here.Thanks for looking out for us. "




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bob wrote on Jun 27, 2009 8:09 PM:

" I wish they would show the same interest in looking to see if all the ice cream trucks/ccycle in this town have permits as well. But I guess they would have to actually go out and "work" to find them. We have larger problems than free snow cones........... "




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sad wrote on Jun 27, 2009 5:27 PM:

" You can't even be generous and polite unless you have a stupid permit, what is this world coming to! Seriously. I mean really, don't dare be nice at all or you will get fined! Pathetic. So what is the difference if you as the customer chose to accept that food and the customer going to the store to buy it, if they get sick, they still accepted it. If they are worried, don't take it then. "




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Robguy wrote on Jun 27, 2009 5:08 PM:

" What a relief to see that our government can take action on such important and life changing catastrophies such as this! I'm glad they stopped them from giving out unlicensed sno-cones and cotton candy. Seems like every day I turn on the news I hear of hundreds of people dying from sno-cone and cotton candy poisoning caused by unlicensed and unscrupulous vendors. Way to go Mr. Thompson, you're looking out for us! "




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juggle knot wrote on Jun 27, 2009 4:55 PM:

" Montrose County staff aren't exactly known for being business friendly. Even the kids are scared to set up a lemonade stand these days. "




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sadden wrote on Jun 27, 2009 12:29 PM:

" It sad that a good and kind gesture is illegal. I don't understand. I can see if it was a business but this is too much. But the way it looks, the government is going to want a license for everything we do. Where is it going to stop! "




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maininmotiongoer wrote on Jun 27, 2009 7:38 AM:

" I understand the "safety" issue, but both businesses were very enjoyable to stop and visit with and certainly made my children and me smile. We are sorry to see they "got in trouble". "




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