Howe Cool on Food Trucks, Praises Police Work

Howe has sympathy for, concerns about, food trucks in city.

Fredericksburg Ward 3 City Councilor Fred Howe confirmed that he has been contacted by Kim Crosslin, co-owner of , in regards to revising zoning regulations to allow food trucks to operate in the city. Howe expressed a reserved interest in the issue, admitting that there were several concerns which doted on his mind. 

"I support what the vendors are doing with these parks and rec festivals that we have," said Howe. "The school is out as with these being an ongoing business setting up in the city. My concern is that it's not the type of operations we want running around a historic city on street corners," 

In previous interviews, city officials have said that staff are not planning on updating the ordinance to specifically regulate food trucks or other mobile businesses. Both Dooley and the director of planning and community development have said that city staff or elected officials are not actively considering amending the ordinance with the goal of liberalizing mobile vending rules.

Howe said that he had brought the issue up with only one other councilor, but he believes concerns about the unintended consequences of liberalizing mobile vending rules will limit Council support for revisions. 

"I'm not sure how we attack it to support the vendors, but I would say there does not seem to be much support for it at this point," said Howe. "We don't want to turn it into a taco-lito throughout the city."

However, Howe notes that city staff and elected officials are preparing a wholesale revision to the zoning ordinances to develop a unified zoning code. The issue of food trucks and other mobile vending could be addressed during that process. 

Arrests Draw Howe's Huzzah

Howe also took time yesterday to praise the Fredericksburg Police Department for the speedy

"Thank God these folks work for us - you know best that the word gets around fast with these criminal dirt bags, especially when they know they have very little chance of success in a particular city, town or county," wrote Howe in an email to ranking members of the city administration and police department. "Keep up the good work - your staff's success is a direct reflection of a motivating and supporting leader."

Natatia Bledsoe, public information officer for the Fredericksburg Police Department, acknowledged that she had seen the email. With an appreciative tone, she humbly noted that Howe has a reputation as an outspoken supporter of the city police department. 

Later in the day,

"My hat's off to you and your officers and staff," concluded Howe's email.