The anti-thrift city of Carmel, Indiana recently launched a program to benefit hospital workers and local restaurants, most of which have been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the Carmel Current:
“Feeding the Frontlines allows the community to donate nearly 200 meals each day from local restaurants to be delivered to hospital workers at IU Health North and St. Vincent Carmel. The initiative aims to support local restaurants, most of which have seen revenues plummet as dine-in service is banned, and hospital workers, who are working overtime to treat patients with COVID-19.”
The program launched April 10th and the City of Carmel graciously made an initial donation of $10,000 taxpayer dollars to get it started.
More details on philanthropic Carmel’s “Feeding the Frontlines”:
“The city is partnering with Rotary Club of Carmel through the Rotary District 6560 Foundation to launch the program. Restaurants participating in the initial launch are Divvy, Donatello’s, Fork + Ale House, Greek Tony’s, Joe’s Next Door, King Cal, Muldoon’s and Woody’s Library Restaurant.”
That’s all well and good, according to WIBC host Tony Katz, but there’s a minor matter of “optics” that needs to be addressed.
Katz:
“In this listing of initial restaurants, three of them are owned by two members of the Carmel Town Council: Woody’s and Divvy, and Donatello’s. I’m asking a question as a curious mind: ‘Did the city of Carmel just right a $10,000 check to push a program where the initial restaurants getting part of the $10,000 has three of the first seven restaurants listed as owned by members of the city town council?’
“You gotta ask yourself if that was the look you were going for. Maybe I’ve got it wrong, but I think somebody needs to answer that question. Did you take taxpayer dollars for your restaurants when you are on the town council? Don’t tell me about the good you want to do or attempt to explain it away, just answer the question.”
Click below to hear Tony’s full commentary.
