Coffee-Gate?

I don't know where this blog post is going to go, but this local controversy got me giggling last Sunday... and there's even an Environmental Health angle.

Here in Fresno, there is a local politician (a current City Councilman and candidate for County Board of Supervisors) who routinely sets up a card table, a sign, and a carafe of coffee on street corners of his district. I often see this gentleman waving at me in my car during my commute.

The idea, as I understand it, is that he uses this time to mingle with the people. That's cool and I'm sure he's a good guy... nice to his dog... calls his mother... the whole bit.

The Controversy

Recently our councilman got headlines by proposing a city ordinance that would prevent panhandling from the traffic medians. Well, it took about minute for a local columnist to start picking this plan apart. This by itself is kind of funny... a councilman who spends his mornings on street corners arguing that panhandling from the medians is unsafe.

The Punch Line

It turns out that the good councilman needs a permit from the Fresno County Health Department to dispense coffee to the public. He's been "found out" and is now being encouraged to adhere to to our local food code.

Don't you think that's funny?

Comments

[HL Arledge]

There's something about politicians and coffee here in Fresno. The mayor's reputed office-away-from-the-office is the Starbucks near his home. I've seen him meeting constituents there. I wonder if he's offering free coffee.