HAGERSTOWN, MD News (1/11/2024) – In a recent Hagerstown Mayor & Council meeting, Mayor Martinez called out Councilmember Perini’s comments regarding the proposed forgiveness of the the rental fee for the Hagerstown City Park concession stand as “inappropriate”. The concession stand is currently leased for $5,000 per season.
Sponsored Stories
While discussing forgiving the concession stand lease fee, Councilmember Perini expressed concern that the $5,000 lease fee could be re-invested into the park, and by eliminating the lease fee the ability to re-invest into the park would be reduced. After further discussion, Councilmember Burnett noted that Nena’s, the concession vendor, donates a lot back including bottled water. After her comments, Councilmember Perini remarked that “you can buy a lot of bottled water for $5,000.” Burnett replied “that was unnecessary,” followed by Martinez stating, “I hate that I’m saying that on record, but what she said was that a business donates back, and your comment I felt was very inappropriate.”
The vendor currently leasing the concession stand is struggling to make a profit, especially with thin food profit margins and Maryland’s minimum wage rising to $15/hour in 2024.
The council also discussed vending machines, but ultimately expressed interest in forgiving the remainder of the concession stand lease fees for the year, and exploring vending machines for in the future.
The full council meeting is available on YouTube.
Article by multiple RFHC contributors.
Discover more from Radio Free Hub City
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I imagine running the concession stand is a tough job, like any retail outlet in these times. Yes, while 5k could buy a lot of water, there are many other ways to voice an opinion without being so cynical.
We’re lucky to have someone trying to make the stand work. There have been many people who have tried through the years. That fact should be enough to not try to profit from the rent.
Thanks for posting this along with the YouTube video.
p.s. Unrelated; some of my earliest and happiest memories are my Great Grandmother taking me to the stand (in the mid 60s) for an ice cream and maybe a balsa wood glider or a water pistol.