Mommies want to ban ice cream vendors from parks in NYC.
Vicki Sell, mother of 3-year-old Katherine, tenses when the vendor starts ringing his little bell, over and over, hoping her daughter doesn’t have the typical Pavlovian response.
Ever since Katherine had an inconsolable meltdown about not being able to have a treat, Ms. Sell has been trying to have unlicensed vendors ousted from the park. She has repeatedly called the city’s 311 complaint hot line, joining parents nationwide who can’t stand the icy man or his motorized big brother, the ice cream man.
Yes, we appear to have gotten to the point in our society that we must ban the ice cream man because mommies can not say no to their little kids.
No wonder we want the government to take care of our health care.
Update: Vicki Sell, the woman interviewed in the article, clarifies her position in the comments. I think she’s owed an apology by the Times. My point about the nanny state is still important, but in this particular case, the point is aimed at the wrong person and the wrong issue.
Windy Recycling Day 
August 21st, 2009 at 10:40 am
I am the person quoted in the Times story and my point of view was not accurately reflected. I’m very upset to have been misquoted as hating Mister Softee and all ice cream vendors. I have absolutely not started a campaign against them. My complaint was about the ice vendors within the playground that are unlicensed and illegally selling to children in a place they are not allowed. I called 311 once (not multiple times by any stretch of the imagination) to inquire about their legal standing. They do not have sanction from any health authority to handle food and there’s no telling where their product comes from. I had hoped that would be played up in the article. And yes, I do feel that bringing these carts into the playground is predatory. They are run out over and over by the police or parks people but come back time and time again. I don’t have any problem with legal vendors outside the playground in areas they are licensed for — despite what the article says. I’m all for people making a living and for people to choose the time and the place to buy treats for their children. I did discuss these points for the article but I don’t see them there. In fact while I was being interviewed we bought ice pops for our children from a licensed vendor outside the park. Vicki Sell
August 21st, 2009 at 10:51 am
Vicki –
Thank you so much for commenting. It’s one of the awesome things about the internet, that you have the ability to clarify what you said.
The article sure did make it sound like your issue stemmed from your child throwing a tantrum when you said no, and that you wanted to remove vendors because of that, not that you took issue with the safety of the food.
I still disagree with you on that point; I think you are perfectly capable of deciding if you want your kids to eat icecream from a vendor and which vendor you wish to use without any government intervention. But I’m really glad you commented, and I’m going to edit my post to reflect your position, as well as post an update to Twitter.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Thanks, Paul. I appreciate your comments. It is refreshing to hear a different opinion without a personal attack. I would welcome more sane dialog on the Internet about issues. Keep it up.
August 21st, 2009 at 11:03 am
[…] NY Times, Vicki Sell | Leave a Comment Vicki Sell, the woman quoted in the NY Times story I blogged about a couple of days ago, commented on my […]
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