To the Editor:
This letter is in response to Mr. Schaff’s letter that was recently printed in The Lincoln County News. (“Rolling ‘barbarians at the gate’,” 5/19/11, Page 4.)
As the owner of Kat’s Kart on Main Street, I take personal offense in being called a rolling barbarian. I am sure Mr. Schaff has no idea who I am or what I do. As a former restaurant owner in Brunswick I can tell you that the State of Maine’s rules and regulations are stricter on mobile food vendors.
Mr. Schaff stated that we are exempt from health inspections. I was inspected last year and have been inspected this year. My trailer is set up with running hot water, four different sinks and ample refrigeration, which is all checked by the State of Maine, when they come and do an inspection. I have seen many different kitchens in restaurants around the State and I personally feel safer eating from mobile food vendors than some of the kitchens I have seen. As the owner of this mobile kitchen, I am also Serve Safe Certified.
Mr. Schaff probably has no idea that I have to be State licensed and inspected every year along with also getting a license from the Town. I pay taxes monthly to the State of Maine. I pay a lot rent to the owner of the property where I am set up, I purchase my propane from Colby & Gale, I shop locally at Damariscotta Hardware, Louis Does and Renys.
I purchase my meat from Bisson’s Meat Market and my potatoes from Bell Farms. When I recently needed some work completed, I used a local contractor and electrician. My mowing is done by a local landscaper.
Mr. Schaff also mentioned about how some businesses contribute to charities. I have donated to the DARE program at Great Salt Bay school, made donations to the Maine Special Olympics and also plan on having a hot dog eating contest this summer to benefit Maine Special Olympics.
If Mr. Schaff would like to stop by some time for lunch I would gladly show him my license that has been issued by the State of Maine. So yes Mr. Schaff, I am in full compliance with business taxes and regulations.
Kathleen Alexander
Topsham
