HIGHLAND — "Bob" the ice cream man won't be tooting his horn or tantalizing children with sweet cold treats in Highland this summer.
He's been turned down flat by the City Council.
Subhash "Bob" Chande, who is from India and speaks only limited English, asked the council for a solicitor's license last week, but he wasn't able to convince the council his operation is safe or wanted in the upscale north Utah County community.
Chande believes he didn't get a fair hearing because of the language barrier and because his enterprise is perceived as an unsafe operation.
"I'm really not in favor of ice-cream-truck sales," said Councilwoman Gwyn Franson. "I have never liked them as a mother. They deal with a segment of society (children) that can't say no. I think they disrupt the community."
Councilman Glen Vawdrey said the safety hazard and potential for harm to youngsters who run into the streets after the truck and its delights concerns him.
Councilman Brian Brunson said he has talked with Chande a couple of times and repeatedly advised him about needing to get a local license.
"What is your plan as far as safety?" asked Brunson.
Chande said he has signs posted on his truck warning children to stay back, but Brunson said that won't help young children who cannot read.
Chande said he has worked for 10 years in the Seattle area and in the Provo and Orem areas with no complaints from customers.
"Yeah, I'm upset," Chande said later. "I sold ice cream last year in Provo, Orem, American Fork and Springville with no trouble."
"You need to do better on safety and on noise abatement," Brunson said. "You need mirrors on the back and sensors, that kind of thing."
Brunson said he observed Chande's truck in the city last summer and was not impressed with the safety precautions.
"I can't support it. I move to deny your application," Brunson said.
His motion was supported by a three-to-two vote of the council with Franson, Brunson and Vawdrey voting in favor of denial.
Mayor Jess Adamson said an ice-cream street vendor has never been approved in Highland.
Neighboring communities such as Alpine, American Fork and Pleasant Grove allow ice-cream street sales, but the vendors must register each summer, provide background information and pay an annual fee.
Pleasant Grove officials say they get a couple of requests each year as does American Fork. Janis Williams, Alpine city recorder, said she sees the trucks occasionally, but no one has come in for an official permit.
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