A Register-Star article today quotes local politicians such as the Mayor voicing worries that food carts could be taking business away from restaurants.
Leaving aside the (de-) merits of that dubious argument, an obvious question arises: Are any restaurant owners actually complaining about such carts? Any at all?
No restaurateurs are quoted in the article, only politicians—most of whom are rarely if ever seen dining on Warren Street.
So on whose behalf are these politicians acting? Have any complaints been made behind the scenes? Did the paper ask any restaurant owners for their opinion? And if anyone does have concerns, shouldn't those be voiced publicly, so that an actual dialogue can occur?
Otherwise, the impression left is that someone privately lobbied to go after vendors like Walsh, and is hiding behind politiicians' skirts. If instead these politicos are acting on their own initiative, without restaurants’ approval, that begs the question: What is their real motive?
One wonders whether this is a “hot topic” (in the Register’s words) anywhere besides he 2nd floor of City Hall.
