Norm is a former firefighter for Vigilance and has had a contract with the Borough for several years to run the concessions in the Borough Park. From the concession stand he operates the Cool Treats ice cream truck.
According to Norm, neither Vigilance, nor the Kiwanis contacted him about sales from the truck prior to their taking the matter to Council. After Norm found out about the request he offered to donate sales from the truck during that time to the fireworks, and he noted that he regularly contributes, along with many other local businesses, to the fireworks display each year.
From a business standpoint, it appears to me that Norm did everything right. The Council ought to have addressed the matter from the standpoint of the agreement they have in place so this would have been clear to those in attendance as well as the public.
It appears that the parties in this case, need to count to 100 and then sit down and talk through these issues which probably are not as vast as they seem right now, and they ought to do it soon in the interest of the community.
35 comments:
Just wondering if the road rally and the Vigilance Hose and Kiwanis stands at Nazareth Day are going to be pulled as well. If not it just goes to show what they are all about. Seems like a power play to me.
SAVE THE FIREWORKS!!
I am a Nazareth resident that adores the traditions of my samll town. I am saddened by the events that occurred on Monday night.
I know that not all the facts are being presented accurately through these postings. I also think it is very easy to hide behind the anonymity of our user names when we comment on these pages. And I mean WE. I am doing it too.
I am hoping that somehow, before next weekend, something will happen that can bring a desirable resolution to this situation and our community will be able to enjoy the events it has come to expect.
Nazareth has given Kool Treats a great business opportunity by renting them the Nazareth Pool concession stand for $13.00 a day.This information was written in the minutes of the May meeting. So, when tradition has been that on the night of the fireworks, a charitable organization sells ice cream in the park, they starting talking about free enterprise. The Kiwanis Club is dedicated to children's causes and gives part of that night's profit to the fireworks. So Kool Treats,where is your sense of community and your appreciation to your community. My support goes to the Nazareth VOLUNTEER Fire Co.
jorasy - when the matter was finally brought to the owner they offered to donate the proceeds - why is he the bad guy?
Council made the agreement after they made an offer to manage the stand. Who else offered to do this?
Council also failed to second the motion. I fault them for not explaining their action.
I also fault vigilance for not speaking with the owner before going to council to ban him from the park he is contracted to provide concessions to.
The owner also makes an annual donation to the fireworks - as others do.
And the owner is a former fireman who is known there, and who was seriously injured in the line of duty. His commitment is proven.
There appears to be much more than we know and at the end of the day the community loses out.
I'm starting to see a black eye forming on the kid that has taken his ball and gone home.
I certinly agree that counsil could have made a big difference in the outcome. But why have the rules changed after years of having the Kiwanis have the opportunity to raise money for their organization and Nazareth. Why didn't Kool Treats step aside for one night if it was not all about the business. Kool Treats still could have made money by selling all around the park. There are plenty of people outside the park, watching fireworks.
Lets stop this right here!The reason we all choose to live and raise our families here is being forgotten. We do not want to turn neighbor against neighbor. How sad would it be to no longer have that friendly hello over the fence because of something like this. People lets show the next generation of residents of our wonderful Nazareth how to solve issues and not blow them out of proportion! See how fast we can raise money for this wonderful tradition instead of burying it. Set a good example. I know our family will! I will be glad to get the ball rolling if need be just tell me where and when. Town council lets go ,tell me what is within the confines of your regulations there is only a week left. Contact :Rosemarie Fehr , Terry Fehr 610-759-1629 Proud lifelong residents of NAZARETH!! Anyone else that shares this sentiment contact us through News Over Coffee.
jorasy, we actually did step aside and offer to do the job of the Kiwanis. We told them to not go through the trouble of getting hard ice cream, which used to be free to them but now they have to pay for, and we would give them every penny of our profit that night which I think would turn out to be more than they would make selling hard ice cream since most people prefer soft. They didn't want to hear aabout it and rejected our offer. This is sad and we will do whatever we can to help the situation.
Lets thank Ross for being the catalyst to possibly save this years events. He is trying to post both sides and I personally think Kool treats has made a great offer. Actually, i dont like this ice cream truck making that racket and ruining my kids appetite(why does it show up before dinner..lol) but he is a small busninessman and for now our country is made from these type of people. There is something else going on that I dont understand, BUT the dismay and negativity portrayed by people supporting the fire company and kiwanis in these posts is disheartening, and I would hope that the the community isnt held hostage for some kind of politcal stampeding and blood sport that seems to be going on. Remember , small businesses are are a large part of the donations that are given to orgrinazations like the Kiwianis and the VFC's...Lets band together as a community and get this thing done as a community, and hash out these differences before next years meeting, not hold the community hostage. Peace Out.
I agree with the fire departments decision to support the Kiwanis and cancel the fire works display on Nazareth day. They didn’t ask this man to shut down the concession stand. They only asked him not to sell his ice cream at the park that day, because the Kiwanis a non-profit organization would be selling ice cream. This man should not be allowed to drive his truck through the park. Even if he said he would donate the proceeds to the fireworks display. That is not the point. The Kiwanis proceeds not only help the fire department but they help support many other programs as well. So by cancelling the fireworks and standing by the Kiwanis the Members of the fire department are showing their support for the entire community.
The fire departments decision to cancel other events is a separate issue and is not connected to the fireworks. Still it wasn’t an easy decision. They rely on the donations and the support of the community to make these events happen. While the support seems to be there for these events, the funding for them is not and this will ultimately end these events. The fire department can not afford to solely fund these events and rely on donations from the Kiwanis and other organizations to make them happen. However they cannot only depend on these programs. They need support from you the community. The people want these events but how many of you actually donate to them.
So hopefully now you can see why the department has chosen to back an organization that has backed and supported them for so many years.
I ask you to stand behind your fire departments decision. Support your local Kiwanis. And if you want programs like these to continue I urge you to donate.
Lastly this man only chose to offer to donate is proceeds after the backlash started. Yea he was a volunteer firefighter. That only makes this situation even sadder. He of all people should have known from the beginning that the Kiwanis needed the money more than he. He should have agreed to take his truck out of the park. The council shouldn’t have had to bring this to a vote.
We also should be asking the council why wasn’t the vote seconded. Do they care more about business owners than non profit organizations? Maybe some one could shed some light on that.
So hurting the community is showing support because of spite, should we really support these oprganizations? Do the leaders of these organizations REAALY beleive that or are these posters just off their rockers..
Something just doesn't make sense here...
Just how does one day of ice cream sales cause the fireworks (and Halloween parade?) to be canceled?
Or are they talking about driving this businessman out of the park altogether?
Or are the two things being somehow unfairly conflated in this discussion?
James:
your not seeing the whole picture here...
Service organizations do fundraisers to raise money to give back to your community..
Kool treats is going to make a profit to put back into there own pocket...
All these events are organized by non profit organizations...
MOVE ON
council told the fire dept."you have one more year for the carnival" council wants to run the show...they voted ice cream truck to sell on naz. nite...
I think people need to go back an read the original post. Now that we have all the facts (or at least most of them), the story has evolved.
I originally said to throw out the ice cream truck on the basis of why should they make a profit at the expense of the community.
Facts:
The Kiwanis and FD sprung this on everyone at the council meeting, including the ice cream vendor. Why didn't they approach him? After all, he was a member of the fire company. There is something wrong with this picture.
Second, the ice cream guy is offering ALL of his proceeds from the days sales to fund these organizations after he found out about the problem. He was not reacting to the backlash, but actively stepping up and supporting the community in a time of need.
Why aren't you bashing other vendors that will be at Nazareth Day that WILL be making a profit?
This man has offered his profits for the day, which could be more than what the Kiwanis could pull in, yet people bash him. Why?
I think there is way more to this story than we are being told.
The Vigilance Hose did not cancel the fireworks due to an ice cream truck taking money away from the Kiwanis. They have no problem at all with the ice cream truck being there. That is all a false hood.
They had to cancel the fireworks due to a lack of money. The lack of money came from the Boro of Nazareth , (ie COUNCIL) not giving the fire dept their share of the money that they have always given towards the fireworks.
The fire company has their money for the fireworks, but have relied greatly on the money that the Boro has always given.
This has occured in the past where the Boro did not pony up their share. Lucky for everyone, someone sent in a donation (with no name of course) and they were able to put on a great fireworks show.
The road rally is still on along with the DJ and food stands that are always there.
The fire company did not bring in a lot of money at this years carnival due to it raining all but one day.
Since they are a volunteer department, they rely on donations to make things like the fireworks happen and when they don't get the funding that they need, the residents are the ones that lose out.
So maybe everyone should get a petition started and give it to the Boro Council to have them give the fire company the money that they have always given so we can have the fireworks show again this year.
There is no "power play" as suggested by nazostyle. The fire company has done nothing wrong here nor have the Kiwanis. Blame the Boro Council, they are the ones that are holding back.
Well said Nazoranter. I think John M's last post is very revealing, not sure he meant to show his hand...
"council told the fire dept."you have one more year for the carnival"" What does that have to do with giving your profits to the Kiwanis on Naz Day??
THis is likely about Council and the fire department fighting over control, and somehow, they decided to pick on the ice cream vendor, perhaps because he is a relative of council( as a supporter of the fire company stated)( we are a small town, go figure that people are actually related!!LOL!!)they are singling him out to try and punish council.
If this is true, shame on these volunteer organmizations LEADERS, not the organizations.
firemans daughter, thanks for your post
Lets hope something happens.
Firemans Daughter is right in the fact that the fire department doesnt have a problem with the truck being there. the problem is that the kiwanis will not make enough money to support other programs if he is there..she is also right saying that they didnt make enough money at the carnival due to rain. so there was not enough funds to put on the fire works ..but they were willing to put out there own money to make this happen.but when the kiwanis pulled out of nazerath day because there was lack of support from the counsel..the firedepartment chose to back and support the kiwanis yes the road rally is still on.and if the counsel is holding back fund from the fire department they should pony up.put the money where it belongs im sure theres new equipmrnt that they need and programs they want to put on.just remember they did not want the man to stay out of the park all the kiwanis wanted was for him not to sell icream.so that they could make more money and help other organizations.
I find it amazing that there are those who want to blame the fire department asking why they didn't talk to the business owner first.
Does this business owner own the park or is it the property of the Borough ? It is my understanding that the Borough owns the park, therefore the fire department asked permission from the appropriate party....meaning they asked the land owner instead of the renter for permission.
All that was asked was for the mobile ice cream truck to not be in the park during the Kiwanis fund razing time. I can't believe that this ice cream truck can only make money in the park. He was not asked to close his concession stand so he would NOT be losing any money.
If this business owner had made the offer to give his proceeds to the Kiwanis and the offer to donate ice cream and what ever else he is now saying he offered it would have been in the original post. I feel his generosity has come after the fact.
The fire department is supporting the efforts of the Kiwanis. Isn’t it ashame that the Borough Council is not doing the same. It is clearly evident that Borough Council doesn’t support even the Fire Department.
Shame on councilman Jack Herbst for his negative comments against the Fire Department in the NAZARETH AREA NEWS.
Shame, Shame on this business owner and former volunteer firefighter for his negative behavior and comments towards the fire department. If anyone should realize the importance of public support to a volunteer fire department it should be him.
For anyone to feel as if they should boycott the Fire Department in any way should consider who is the first to respond when the need for help arises. They are there to help anyone and everyone without bias. I am sure you won’t see the ice cream man at the next house fire tossing his ice cream on the fire to put it out.
I agree that this entire mess could have been prevented had the Council member’s done their job. The damage has been done to both the fire department who is showing open support to the Kiwanis and also to the businessman. The best thing that can now happen is for the community to come together and support the fire department, not take away from the businessman and direct their outrage to the Borough Council.
Maybe there is still time to turn this situation around by showing appropriate support and truly make it a Nazareth Day.
I also have to ask, if you are so concerned about these non-profits raising money, why does this one event make such a difference? Shouldn't your check book be open now and all year?
We now know that they are short on money. Why wait until Nazareth Day to buy an ice cream that will net them a small amount per item?
If you feel that strong, put your money where your mouth is and stop by the FD and drop off a check, or find a member of the Lions or Kiwanis and give them a check or money.
It isn't rocket science.
But, it is easier to bash the ice cream vendor and council.
You have the freedom of choice. At Nazareth Day, you can choose to purchase from the ice cream truck, or you can buy from the Kiwanis. Not a difficult decision.
I would just like to set one thing straight, the ice cream vendor was indeed approached in previous years before it was brought to council. So anyone who believes it was not, is wrongly informed!!!!!!!!!
Ross, your statement that neither group contacted Norm about the issue of his icecream truck, makes it sound like this whole issue came as a shock to Norm. Not so!
He was confronted last year and he was unwilling to remove his truck. There was nothing to indicate that he would be willing to do so this year.
The groups did exactly as they should have done in going to Council. Their mistake was in expecting Council to do the right thing!
Yes, Alle. Norm thinks he owns the park! Calling it "My park" at the meeting made that very clear! WE, the citizens of Nazareth OWN that park, NOT the Borough Councilmen, and NOT Norm.
Norm never offered to give the proceeds from his truck to the fireworks, until AFTER he heard they were cancelled. He knew there would be a big backlash, and he was trying to save his skin. And that is a fact!
Kiwanis has been around for a long time, and they've been supporting this community for a long time. Maybe some people don't realize how much Kiwanis does for the Nazareth community. And they do all that they do with few members. Instead of bashing them, this community should be supporting them any way they can.
And I agree, shame on Councilman Herbst for making negative comments about our Fire Company. But then, when does that negative man ever have anything positive to say about anything? (Except when it's to support his own agenda!)
Dear Firemansdaughter,
I wasn't aware that the borough council gave money towards the fireworks every year. But just 2 days ago on my kitchen table sat the key paper stating that the fireworks would start at 10pm that night. What happened between then and now? I guess the money must've been lost. And what happens to all the donations that were sent in by the public? I guess that went missing as well.
I've been informed that all parties are meeting tonight - am supposed to be filled in afterward.
Hot topic? I guess, traffic on NOC doubled yesterday.
There is a lot more going on here than just ice cream and fireworks!!! Shame on the boro council! I am in complete support of our fire department and the Kiwanis. It’s a shame that it takes this controversy to get people to stand up for the volunteer organizations in our community. True, people should have talked before the meeting—but it’s much bigger than that and completely unfair to Norm Boell. It’s personal folks. Sure, Norm has a relative on council, but he also has a contract, and the right to earn a living. He even offered to donate the money he would make that day/night for fireworks and he was a firefighter for years!!!
Again it’s personal. Maybe we are going to pay the price for a former councilman’s sister’s ongoing affair with a fireman--shocked? Yes folks, at the good old Nazareth school district. Maybe our tax payer dollars should go to something better, like directly to the fire department and Kiwanis, who help us and our neighbors, than paying people at the district to take extended lunches for sex!!! Not only are they both cheating their spouses and children—but the whole community. That’s shameful too! Being “high up” (council, fire department, school district)- in this community use to mean something-you did a great job, you had pride, and you had a moral commitment to your family and community. I guess those days, just like the fireworks are gone.
Anyway, firemansdaughter is right and has a great idea. Maybe if we all get together, donate, and sign a petition, the fireworks can be saved. Don’t let some small bitter dealings between people ruin it for the entire town. Our volunteers-and their families-put so much time and effort into Nazareth, please give them your money and support.
I am not a community member of Nazareth but visited it throughout the years and have been drawn to the ridiculous nature of these blogs.
The way I understand it you have a business man with a contract to sell ice cream at a park, the Kiwanis club a non profit organization who will also be selling snacks, and the vigilance hose fire company who will be providing fireworks. As far as I can tell this sounds like a great event.
The part I don't understand is that the president of the Vigilance Hose Fire Company had a problem with the ice cream truck and when his opinion was not shared by council members he pulled the fireworks. He continues to be selfish even after the ice cream business says that all of their proceeds would be donated to the Kiwanis Club, what a selfless act. Obviously this is a personal issue and he is destroying a community on his power trip.
I think the fire company and especially the president need to grow up and represent Nazareth as a community with caring and selfless people, families, business owners, and volunteers.
Oh yeah and Justme, Is Norm not a citizen of Nazareth, also? I would hope that he would personally take some ownership in order to relay the important relationship he feels he has with not only the park but it's surrounding community.
I understand that Mr. Boell explained at the meeting how his 2 young female workers were verbally abused by a member of the kiwanis for selling ice cream. Mr Boell had the class enough not to mention the kiwanis member name. Does this member of the kiwanis have the same amount of class as Mr Boell and come forward and apologize for his actions. Is this how he was asked not to have his ice cream truck at nazareth day. Kate I too have been sucked in to the ridiculousness of these blogs. First ice cream and fireworks and now sex scandals what will be next?
Save The Fireworks not the Fire Department!
To Newsovercoffee,
I guess the money that firemansdaughter said was never donated by the council has miraculously been found and now there is an urgent meeting about it with all parties tonight. Thank God the money has been found. Another mystery solved. Good job Ross!
When you think of home you thing of the traditions throughout the community. Fireworks in Nazareth are one of those deeply embedded small town traditions. This reeks of small town politics. For your own personal interest you're depriving the entire population of the town. The selfish interest being the president of the fire department wanting his way or no way and causing the town to deprive of this tradition. Norm Boell has a signed contract and towns are run by laws and contract not by one persons self interest. Norm Boell is even willing to donate his proceeds for the continuation of this tradition.
I'm Norm's younger brother. When I graduated from grad school and received a job offer in the Lehigh Valley, it was Norm that convinced me to live in Nazareth. When I was there, I was thrilled with my decision upon seeing the type of community that it was. Just watching the parades go past my apartment near the picturesque circle was like something out of a Rockwell painting.
I also witnessed firsthand everything Norm put into that community. He ran two local businesses, employed probably a dozen local residents and, while juggling all of that, he coached several sports teams, was active in community organizations/the church and volunteered for the very fire company that he is embroiled in controversy with (which he served as an officer in).
Towards the end of my time in your community, I witnessed first hand one of the most extraordinary sacrifices when I received a phone call on a hot summer night that Norm had been seriously injured when a saw accident resulted in an injury to his leg that was within a fraction of an inch to claiming his life. It left him unable to actively run his business at its busiest time of the year.
I witnessed something there as well. It was the fire company and community service organizations such as the Kiwanis that came together and assisted Norm’s family. It was a beautiful aspect of a horrific moment. I also know that it is the fire fighters that are in Vigilance Hose today that still climb roofs and run into burning buildings.
I moved away from Nazareth to marry but still work in the Lehigh valley. I’m in Nazareth from time to time to visit Norm’s family and other friends I made in the community. I don’t know the local politics or what caused what were good relationships to turn so ugly. But I still know the character of my brother and it pains me to watch he, his family and his businesses be attacked in these blogs and to hear of boycotts of his business. The relationship with the men I know he called his “brothers” is openly hostile and these men (that are no doubt heroes) did not respect their retired brother enough to talk to him face to face before taking the matter to the Council who themselves could not bar his company because to do so would breach the very contract they signed with him. I know Norman Boell as well as anyone reading this and I know with all my soul that, for Norman, this is not about the money. He probably donates as much as he would make in that park back into the community anyway.
As I type this the parties are meeting to work this out and I hope they are successful. I have no doubt that Norm will again offer to donate the proceeds and his employees services (an offer he has made and had thrown back in his face). As I said, I know his character and I know he will do the right thing. I just hope that everyone calms down and does what is best for the community and not for their egos.
As for blogs, I actually would like to applaud the author of this blog for eventually posting both sides of the story. However, in this age of instantaneous communication knee jerk reactions and anonymous attacks in comments have replaced investigative journalism and reasoned debate. If news papers die (which they are certainly in the process of doing) more blogs must be careful to investigate both sides of a story.
When I first heard they were cancelled, my initial response was how much money do you need? We can put something up on the site and I'm sure we'll get some people and companies to donate.
I was told it was not money but principle.
Between the two posts there are over fifty comments, site traffic doubled yesterday from the summer average, obviously this has struck a nerve - I know it struck mine.
Let's be open and hope these groups work things out tonight. Then let's remember why we all got so ticked off - because we care about this town even if we have different opinions on it - and move forward.
I was talking to someone the other night, and we were discussing how Nazareth really is unique, from its history to its industry to its people. How many towns our size have achieved world-wide fame in more than one way? Not many to none.
We have a great history and we all want to enjoy a great future.
Thanks for contributing and let's make this work!
Driving home tonight around 8pm I saw a big group of men outside the old library building, the city council headquarters. At curbside was a vigilance hose truck and I thought hey maybe they are trying to reach a resolution. I got excited thinking maybe we'll get our fireworks in the park back....
so kudos to those men if they were able to find a way to work together to make the fireworks still a go...shame on them if not as it will most certainly reduce the spirit of Nazareth Days which is all about taking pride in our community---
There was an emergency meeting called last night at 8:15 for the fire company.
I am not privy to all the details, but the fireworks are back on at 10 pm on July 18.
I don't know what occured, but the results for everyone seemed to be great!
nazostyle:
The council was with-holding their monetary part of the fireworks due to the situation that was going on. Until that meeting this past Monday evening, the fire company ran the ads expecting to receive the funding that they have received in previous years.
The donations received are being put toward the fire works. They didn't go missing. As previously stated, the fire company has their funding for the fireworks, including the donations, but to put on a fireworks display like the ones in previous years takes more than they have.
I never said money went missing, I stated that the council didn't pony up their funding as they always had. Please don't put words into my mouth.
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