Brickbat: Gone Fishing

Washburn County officials shut down a 15-year-old's bait stand on his family's farm in Spooner, Wisconsin, deeming the shed a zoning violation, according to a cease-and-desist letter that threatened daily fines for non-compliance. Max McKinney, who sold worms, sodas, candy, and T-shirts from the stand, expressed frustration and sadness, saying he was working hard and following entrepreneurial spirit. The letter, signed by the county's zoning land use specialist, went out after only McKinney's second weekend in operation, and it ordered the stand's closure and removal within 14 days.

Comments

[Fist of Etiquette]

According to Beers, a “concern” was submitted by a local citizen, triggering county action. Beers contends the zoning office “did not get the name,” of the complainant.

There will be a reckoning, Allah willing.

[Chumby]

Sounds like some hall monitor there was stalking the 15-year old boy.

[Rat on a train (FR)]

Big Bait doesn't like competition.

[diver64]

The same Karen went after a grade school girl's lemonade stand. Covid allowed Karen's to run wild and they have not stopped. The thing about Spooner is that it is a rural town with less than 3,000 people. Locals know each other and I bet there will be hell to pay over this. If I were the zoning administrator I'd start looking for another job and they know exactly who lodged a complaint. That angry wino cat lady isn't going to have a good time of it anymore.

[Sometimes a Great Notion]

expressed frustration and sadness, saying he was working hard and following entrepreneurial spirit.

Have you tried "campaign donations"? Maybe give up a golden share of the company to get the protection you need? Or do an ESG statement to get Black Rock to fund you?

[Longtobefree]

Forget it, Jake, it's Wisconsin.

[Stupid Government Tricks]

They ought to fire that county admin for not demanding sales taxes from the kid.

What a bozo!

[John F. Carr]

A friend thought her teenage daughter could set up a table and sell cheap stuff to make a few dollars. She would need a license from the state and another from each town she sells in and a certificate of good character from her town's police chief and don't even think about selling anything edible.

[Roberta]

So sell the goods off a blanket. No structure, no zoning issue. Use a parasol if you want shade.

[Rick James]

Or one of those canopy thingies they sell at Costco.

[Quo Usque Tandem]

Those are excellent suggestions; I hope the kid reads them if only to provoke the asshole who reported them and the other asshole who is enforcing this.

Torches and pitchforks too easy for them; it's CHIPPER TIME! What do you think former U.S. Attorney/ now talking head for CNN Preet Bharara?