Busted: NY Politician Calls Cops on Kids’ Unlicensed Bake Sale
- Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:33pm by
Meredith Jessup
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Alert the authorities! Some kids in New York apparently think it’s still okay to engage in capitalistic ventures in America!
A politician in a New York suburb called police on two 13-year-old boys for selling cupcakes and other baked goods without a permit, according to a report Monday.
The Journal News in Westchester County said the boys, Andrew DeMarchis and Kevin Graff, had a brisk business selling cupcakes, cookies, brownies and Rice Krispie treats for $1 each in a Chappaqua park.
However, New Castle [which includes Chappaqua] Councilman Michael Wolfensohn called the police after discovering the sale was not for charity, the newspaper said.
Kevin’s mother, Laura Graff, said the teens were “good kids” who were scared by the police call.
“I am shocked and sad for the boys. It was such a great idea, and they worked hard at it,” Laura Graff, Kevin’s mother, told The Journal News. “But then some Town Board member decided to get on his high horse and wreck their dreams.”
DeMarchis, Graff and two other friends, Zachary Bass and Daniel Katz, had hoped they would make enough money to open a restaurant, the paper said, adding that they made $120 on their first day.
$1 per cupcake? $120 in one day?! Obscene profiteering!!
Let this be a lesson to kids everywhere: wealth is not to be created, only redistributed.
Sheesh. What do you think this, a free country?
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Comments (161)
Emily
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:53pmThese kids were on their way to becoming “rich” and that’s a crime in the USA now. Thinking for yourself and being successful is apparently something we aren’t supposed to be doing anymore. We’d much rather reward those who sit on their hinde ends, than those who actually take initiative and work for a living and are successful at what THEY DO. This politician probably wants their hard earned money to go to some illegal families who are “less fortunate”.
Report Post »SsgtRock
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 7:03amTouche’. It’s time we start seeing these high and mighty politicians for what they really do. They think they are allowed to redistibute wealth. It’s time we as Americans rise up and vote these bums out and get some common sense folks back in office.
Report Post »jedi.kep
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:51pmWay to go you dumb *** politician!
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:51pmAll will be forgiven the politician says if only the boys join the United Brotherhood of Aerospace Workers, Prostitutes and Cup Cake Sales Reps Local 123
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:50pmWhat, next, you need to get a permit for your lemonade stand? This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard! We used to buy MORE from these kids because we applauded they ingenuity and work ethic! I guess they would rather have them end up being dependent on the social welfare rolls..
Report Post »steve4u55
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:50pmYeah ol wolfesohn appears to have put away a few cupcakes and brownies in his day. what a loser his family should be so proud. i sent an email to his office telling so.
Report Post »takemout
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:50pmMichael Wolfensohn needs to be called a lot so that everyone can voice their opinion on governmental tyranny over private enterprise. If anyone out there knows his home phone, office phone, cell phone and fax numbers, please make them public.
Report Post »BetterDays
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 2:34pmsee my post above, it’s his office contact info.
Report Post »critterbait
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:49pmOk when does it stop ??? Where are the adult’s of that town ?? Is anyone going to stand with the kids ?? It’s time to put a stop to this madness even if we all go to jail. OUR KIDS ARE WORTH IT
Report Post »FIRE anyone who stands with the Government on this police action..
I am an American Land of the FREE use to be home of the BRAVE
STAND UP AMERICA For God Sake…
LLATPOH
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:48pmIs it just me, or are more and more of these politicians hell-bent on angering the people and targeting kids to do so?
This guy is practically begging for a back-alley treatment.
Report Post »RavenGlenn
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:47pmWell…as much as I’d like to see the kids doing what they would like, this wasn’t on their private property. They were selling in a public park and anyone else that is not a child would have to have a permit to do so.
Quite frankly, I see no problem with them being told they cannot do such. If they allow these children to sell there, then they’d have to let anyone sell there or receive lawsuits from anyone else that decides they want to open their own stand.
Sorry, but these kids should be selling on their property or someone else’s with their permission. THEN if the police tell them they can’t, we can talk about the ethics of that. As it is, they aren’t following normal guidelines in any city in the US.
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:58pmThey were selling on their parent’s property, as their parents are most likely taxpayers.
That’s right, I’m suggesting that licensing is anti-free market and anti-liberty. Go figure.
Report Post »LLATPOH
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 2:08pmLet’s not forget that they are kids.
Ok, so they need a permit. Let’s not stop there… Let’s also make sure that they have their entire business model in black and white and submitted to the city for approval…
They’re selling cupcakes, for crying out loud! And considering they’re under 18, I don’t think they could sign on a dotted line for a permit. If you’re an adult, then yes, go through the right channels. But these are hard-working kids who aren’t causing any trouble at all.
Should we call the cops on little Timmy because he‘s riding his Big Wheel on the sidewalk even when there’s a bike lane on the road? Technically, it’s illegal! Gotta crack down!
I’m sorry for the snark, but legalism in a case like this just isn’t common sense, and it certainly doesn’t show these kids any good lesson in being entrepreneurs.
That politician would have done good to talk to the kids and say “you need a permit to do this, but if you and your folks come down to my office, I’ll help you fill everything out and get you on your way.” They would have gotten a good lesson on the proper channels, and would still be able to have fun being productive kids instead of the alternatives that many other kids adhere to.
Report Post »Rob
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:47pmBig Brother
Is this guy a democrat?
Report Post »ElleSi
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 2:55pmhe sure is!
Report Post »New-American-Saviors
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:46pmHe sells his soul and these kids are just selling Cup-Cakes.
Report Post »NHABE64
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:46pmSounds like this politician is a perfect candidate for the ******* of the Year award!
Report Post »spod
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:45pmIf the kids declared the ground they were standing on to be the future location of a mosque and they were muslim children, they’d still be selling.
Report Post »EyebrowsLaMana
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:45pmsad & pathetic. Truth be known, I’d be inclined to meet up with him in some type of dark or well lit for that matter, alley and teach him not only some manners but some common sense…sounds like he needs a good, ahem…manners session.
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 3:04pmGood grief, don’t take him into a dark alley! (thats where the kids are trying to have thier bake sale)
Report Post »darasen
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:44pmOn the bright side this bozo likely just made 2 more kids free market Libertarians.
Report Post »Derek01
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:43pmWho was the lowlife politician who complained?. He needs to go.
Report Post »EP46
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 2:20pmWolfensohn was elected councilman in 2007 as a member of the Democrat Party.
Report Post »theneighborhoodguy
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 2:49pmHe was/is on the board of the Boys and Girls Club…nice show of support for kids, Michael! With friends like you, who needs enemies?
Report Post »JJ Coolay
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 3:20pmVOTE HIM OUT NY!! Pay attention!!
Report Post »CloudNine
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 10:32pmIf this A-hole pulled a stunt like this in my neighborhood he wouldn’t be living here long…Americans live here, not socialist elites!
Report Post »BetterDays
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:42pmhttp://www.mynewcastle.org/index.php?option=com_contact&view=contact&id=11%3Amichael-wolfensohn&catid=16%3Adepartments&Itemid=235
There is Mr. Wolfesohn’s contact informaion. Perhaps we should protest that he return his salary since it’s not for charity? Freequin socialists, keep you dog off of my lawn or I act like you were (past tense) a burgler.
Report Post »sissykatz
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 3:49pmPlease send and email to this grench, and wish his a happy day for ruining the kids dreams. I did.
Report Post »WireWizard
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:42pmWe need another Dan’s Bake Sale and flood this town with kindness and calories!
Where is John Galt?
Report Post »krenshau
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:42pmLicensing is socialist concept to help the government track and control commerce. I think licensing should be gotten rid of. I know some will say, “What about doctors and lawyers?” Let the private sector develop industry standards like they do with programming and other industries. The government is an obstacle to commerce.
Report Post »EyebrowsLaMana
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:47pmI totally agree. It’s suck a crock the things you need a licenses for now. Laughable if it weren’t so pathetic. Time to take it back folks, time to take it back.
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:57pmYou are correct without question.
Report Post »Sharon
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 2:31pmAmen!!
Report Post »jeffro314
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:41pmdid that politician confiscate the cookies?
Report Post »HKS
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:46pmFor the greater good ya know.
Report Post »givemelibertyorgivemedeath
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:40pmthis is Madness!!!!!
I’ll take 5 cupcakes please. But let’s meet in a secret, undisclosed location so we don’t get found out…or stalked by any creepy politicians
Report Post »jcons114
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 2:40ammadness?? THIS. IS. PRO-GRESS!!!!! ;-P
Report Post »roflcopter
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:40pmimagine that!
Report Post »(first maybe)
givemelibertyorgivemedeath
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:39pmThis is madness!
I’ll take 5 cupcakes please….let‘s meet in a secret location so we don’t get found out
Report Post »john seven eighteen
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:53pmI wish all the neighborhood families would go to the kids’ house and order tons of cupcakes and other goodies. There is certainly no law against that and it would show the kids that not all grown-ups are idiots.
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 3:22pmUnfortunately, the Health Department might have something to say about the sale of baked goods to the general public without some kind of license (read tax). There have been any number of kids busted for having a lemonade stand. There’s all kinds of OSHA and other safety issues, too.
A local Community college ran afoul of something like this when they had a speaker in and decided to raise money for one of the clubs to pay the honorarium. They couldn’t have a bake sale, it had to be commercially produced items (no homebaked goods – I still haven’t figured out why) and they couldn’t charge for them, only receive donations.
Your tax dollars at work.
Report Post »Buck Bagaw
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 7:27pmYou ain‘t wearin’ a wire are you??
Report Post »dkhartman
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:37pmOh poor kids!
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:59pmOh my bleeding eyes. WTF? The world is turning into an insane asylum
Report Post »halfbrain
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 2:43pmKids selling cup cakes gets reported to police. Kids selling drugs and rap about gets a recording contract. No amount of duct tape can keep my head from exploding.
Report Post »Fear The Voices
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 5:21pmIf this jackass lived in my district I’d blast his house w/ cupcakes and twinkies! I’d probably be inclined to stuff a bunch of them in his cars tailpipe too! Jackass!
Report Post »theVirginian
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 5:21pm@ Halfbrain … LOL
Report Post »Nature777
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:37pmThis is nonsense. We should be encouraging kids to do these things, not punishing them.
Report Post »HKS
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:44pmNow that‘s a politician that’s building a crime fighting resume, bust them crooks. I hope that works out well for him, ya know what I mean.????????????????
Report Post »Rogue
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:45pmFor anyone who was curious, though not mentioned in the article, Mr. Wolfensohn is a Democrat. I know, shocking.
Report Post »imerbusterit
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:47pmThere are Mexicans in California selling tamales in parking lots and fruit on street corners. No one is shutting them down…and that fruit sits out in the sun for hours…yuck….leave those kids alone!
Report Post »Juan Gault
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:48pmJust more pc. Will it ever end?
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:55pmI always find it sadly amusing when people suggest that we have anything even vaguely approaching a free market.
Report Post »Rogue
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:57pmThey must have accidentally set up shop in a “food desert”.
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:57pmObscene profiteering? No. Business sesne, Yes.
Report Post »Good luck and lets shut down this PC nonsense before it is too late.
Infidels R Us
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 2:02pmWhile we are at it, let‘s contact these Bureaus and Gov’t Agencies: Social Security Admin – to make sure they are withholding FICA and Medicare Taxes; IRS – to make sure they are paying and filing income taxes; NY Dept. of Rvenue – to make sure these kids are paying stae income taxes AND charging sales tax; SEIU – so that we can make sure these two kids are registered and paying union dues to the local baker’s union; NY Dept. of Health – to make sure they were using commercial grade ovens and baking pans, that the kitchen these baked goods were made in was up to health code, and to make sure no trans-fats were found in these baked goods; finally, let’s contact the the Gambino or Genevasse Mob family (or which ever one controls this area of NY) to make sure these kids pay proper “tribute” for protection.
All levels and layers of government in this conuntry need a serious pruning!
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 2:11pmFood dessert!
Report Post »DagneyT
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 2:14pmWho wants to make a bet the politician was a Democrat?
CatB
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 2:21pmBack in “the day” they used to leave the kids alone … now you can’t even sell lemonade without the wrath of government coming down on you … I guess THAT is the real lesson for the kids!
Anyone know if kids are still exempt from things like fishing licenses to a certain age?…. I remember that we could go fishing without a license when I was a kid.
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 2:30pmI – a liberal – so totally agree with you! We should be teaching our children how to make and handle money instead of putting roadblocks in their way!! http://maboulette.wordpress.com
Report Post »mimitweetin
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 2:42pmAhh, but you seem to forget, Progressives Despise Capitalism.
Report Post »SICKANTIRED
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 2:43pmThese People make me SICK SICK SICK…They need to be rounded up for sure where is this country going?
Report Post »Journalist Stunt Double
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 2:50pmThis sounds like a plot for a bad Disney/Nick movie.
Overzealous bag-o-douche parent lashes out against neighborhood kids while the unsuspecting, overachieving, snooty daughter winces and devilishly grins at the melee from behind the tinted windows of daddy’s BMW.
Is it coincidental the “honorable” Councilman Wolfensohn has a daughter roughly the same age as these boys?
Chappaqua Teen Donates $4,000 to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northern Westchester
“There they are, Daddy!”
Report Post »tobywil2
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 2:50pmDon’t don’t be silly! How will the tyrants control people who are self-sufficient and productive. Any barriers that the government erects to private enterprise will maintain the “status quo”, oppress the individual and increase the cost of living. Of course, the political cronies of those in power profit from the tyranny. http://commonsense21c.com/
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 2:51pmCATB in Arizona kids can fish until they are 16 but they have to be with an adult with a license.
Report Post »JJ Coolay
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 3:18pmWhat the hell is wrong with the mentality of this country?
Report Post »vg0va3
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 4:30pmtell him what you think mbwolf@town.new-castle.ny.us
Report Post »HillBillySam1
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 4:37pmSorry to say but I wonder if the councilman would have done the same thing if the children were of minority decent? Not if he wouldn’t want to bring the ire and wrath of Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson.
No Frosting…..No Peace!!!
Report Post »No Frosting…..No Peace!!!
Fear The Voices
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 5:18pmWould it have been different if they’d been selling fruit, or collecting sales tax? I suspect if they were collecting tax, it may have; but snacks…. Oh the humanity!
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 6:56pmTo Fear the Voices:
In my state, to collect sales tax, you need a State Sales Tax number, which you get from the State Revenue department. If food is involved, they get very interested, particularly if it is not pre-packaged stuff. The Health Department gets involved and the licensed sanitarians. It can get VERY complicated, VERY quickly, trust me.
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 8:02pmHow sad .. this politician must not know anyone of their age that is smart or hardworking enough to do the same and he’s jealous.. word to the kids PAY TAXES on that $120 or the IRS will be taking your parents home..
Report Post »Proud American in Buffalo
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 8:05pmKids Joining a gang and killing someone based on what color banndana they’re wearing or busting kids who want to make an honest wage selling baked goods? What the hell is wrong with this country? Geogre Orwell was right. “Up is Down, and Down is Up”
Report Post »Anarcho Capitalist
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 8:28pmLittle bastards will think twice before they try supporting there own life again!
Report Post »silentwatcher
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 11:49pmgood thing they weren’t selling koolade as well, that REALLY could have hurt the local economy. kudos to councilman Wolfensohn,,,,,he must be a true crime fighter. may he remember that moment forever, especially when he looses his seat……*****
Report Post »LuvThisCntry
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 3:15amWe can call him and raise hell!
Report Post »Robert W
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 4:18amIf It were the mayors kids he wouldnt have said nothin!
Report Post »sean_m.
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 5:21amThey’d rather encourage to be welfare kings than to be independent businesspeople.
Report Post »pb999
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 5:33amI am not sure. This was not a onetime deal, this was their second Saturday and the kids were planning on setting up their stand every Saturday in this park for a couple of years. So what if other kid entrepreneurs wanted to sell t-shirts or dvd’s or french-fries in the same park? What if a laid-off dad wanted to set up a stand in the park to make money to help feed his family? It seems to me that the rules should be the same for all even kid entrepreneurs. If it is a one or two time corner stand OK but an ongoing business?
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 7:29amMaybe I shouldn’t admit to this, but my son and his friend sold lemonade at a home-made stand to raise money for something they each wanted. Should I hang my head in shame because I have a capitolist son? No, I gave them the table, the cardboard for the sign and the ice cubes. The first time, I gave them the lemonade mix. Go capitolism!
Report Post »Bot
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 12:21pmIf they had been charging 50 cents to Blacks and Latinos, $1 to whites, and $1.50 to orientals, it would have been O.K. with the politically-correct town councilman.
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