RIVERSIDE PARK, N.Y. (WPIX) - A 10-year-old girl in Riverside Park was slapped with a fine for setting up a lemonade stand without a permit Saturday.
Opening a lemonade stand has been Clementine Lee's dream since last year. She decided to take advantage of the day's nice weather to finally set up shop with her 49-year-old father, Richard.
"It was such a hot day I figured people would want a cold drink," Lee told the New York Post.
The stand was set up on West 73rd Street and Riverside Drive, and for the first 20 minutes, business was booming--they two sold 10 glasses of lemonade for 50 cents each, along with the dozen chocolate chip cookies they baked.
However, a damper was put on Lee's success when they were approached by agents demanding to see her permit at around 3 p.m. Recalled Richard, "They approached us nonchalantly but then surrounded us. They were very hostile…saying 'Where's your permit?"
Several onlookers came to the pair's defense, arguing that the Lees had every right to exercise their civil rights. However, their efforts were futile as the father and daughter packed up their things and went home.
"Don't these agents have anything better to do?" said Richard. "There are better ways to raise money for the Parks Department then busting 10-year-olds."
A shaken Clementine assented, saying, "I think they should let people sell lemonade out here. We weren't hurting anyone."
The Post contacted the department after the incident. Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe said the ticket will be revoked. Benepe said the agent used "poor judgment" in fining Lee and her father. The agent will be re-trained on rules and regulations and will be reassigned.
seriously! Didn't this "agent" have anything else better to do?? This makes me upset.
