Posted on 05/17/2012 7:34:17 AM PDT by Cowman
If you’re the owner of an ice cream stand in Massachusetts and you make building improvements without asking the state for permission, you may find yourself on the receiving end of a prohibition-style shutdown.
An ice cream stand in Great Brook Farm State Park, MA (of course), was shut down by state officials this weekend after it was discovered that the owner had made building improvements without the appropriate permits, lowellsun.com reports.
“Mark Duffy, who has operated the dairy farm at the state-owned park for 26 years and has a lease with the state to run the stand, said armed Environmental Police officers showed up at stand on Friday evening and stood guard throughout the weekend, turning away customers,” lowellsun.com’s Chris Camire reports.
And as if having the stand shutdown wasn’t bad enough, the park officials did it over Mother’s Day weekend. “Edward Lambert, commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, said the stand was closed after it was discovered construction had been done without local or state permits,” Camire reports.
“The work, which expanded the stand, included construction on a barn built in 1910 that is adjacent to the stand,” the report adds. Lambert’s excuse? He’s protecting the public until the state is positive the improvements are 100 percent safe.
“I like ice cream as much as anybody, so it pains us to even temporarily close what is an iconic property, but we have to make sure people eating ice cream there are safe,” said Lambert.
However, according to Duffy, who lives on the nearby farm with his wife, he has made plenty of improvements over the years and this is the first time the authorities have thrown a fit.
“The reason I’m here and the purpose of having me here is to improve the facility and operate a commercial dairy farm,” said Duffy, “I make improvements every single day and have for 26 years.”
And along with Duffy being put out of work there are also the 13 high school and college kids who worked there. They’re unemployed as well. The ice cream stand and the dairy farm are situated on a 1,000-acre park where people come to hike, mountain bike, tour the dairy facilities, and, of course, eat ice cream.
“On a diversified farm like this, the only way to stay in business is to make all the pieces work together,” said Duffy. “I have expenses. I just don’t have that income anymore. It’s a seasonal business, but this was done on Friday at 6 p.m. on a beautiful Mother’s Day weekend.”
Lambert said he‘s not sure when he’ll allow Duffy to reopen the stand.
This is why they shouldn't be allowed that power
What is an “Environmental Police officer”? Whatever he is; I’ll bet he’s in a union.
I’d prefer the days of snake oil. I’d prefer cocaine to caffeine in my Coca-Cola too.
I've been saying for years that you should fear the "Little Hitler's" in your local government far more than anything from the State or the feds. For the most part, the average Joe is too small potatoes for the State or the Federal Government to spend much time watching or going after, they have bigger fish to fry. But, if you happen to get one of the "Little Hitler's" on the town council or at the Sheriff's Department down on you, which you can do quite easily just by going about your life in a small town. They can make your life a living hell.
so now they’re ‘alleged’ armed officers?
My first thought was that the wrong person couldn't get the sugar cone he wanted and is now seeking revenge.
Isn’t this pretty common, that when a business makes structure improvements without going through the permit process they are shut down until the work is verified and permits are paid for?
He didn’t give a bribe,
To the Building Inspector,
Doo-dah, Doo-dah.
That’s what you do,
In a corrupt blue state,
All the live-long day.
Gonna tax all day,
Gonna graft all night,
That’s what you do,
In a corrupt blue state,
All the live-long day.
You WILL respect the authority of a town beuracrat drunk on a small bit of power...until a few of them get tarred, feathered and ridden out of town on a rail (or shot).
Tar, feathers. Lather, rinse, repeat...
Seeing as how this is an ice cream place chocolate and nuts may be more appropriate.
Fudge Ripples
And down a rocky road. :-)
Another odious public trough feeder strutting his stuff and screwing the private sector
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