I’ve always felt that way about hot dogs. Vegetarian friends try to scare me with details of where they come from and how they’re processed. I just cover my ears because I don’t want to know.

They taste really good, especially at a ball game, and that’s all I need to know.

Last summer, they were also very enjoyable in Congress Park as they were sold there by Ed Miller. Recently, Mr. Miller was told he would no longer be able to do so.

There are several reasons for his departure from the park. First and foremost, city code forbids it. Former Commissioner of Public Works Thomas McTygue allowed Miller to sell the dogs, but rejected a similar request by Kathy Kahl of the Saratoga Hot Dog Co.

McTygue’s successor, Skip Scirocco, is being inundated with complaints from upset hot dog eaters who were looking forward to their Congress Park frank this summer. Scirocco had to kick Miller out because of the unfair nature of having one solo vendor allowed and nobody else.

Fingers are unfairly being pointed at Scirocco and Kahl. Scirocco is just trying to make things fair and Kahl wants her piece of the lucrative pie that a stand in Congress Park could ensure. In the end, this was McTygue doing a favor for an acquaintance, but his heart was in the right place because plenty of people enjoyed the hot dogs.

Herein lies the dilemma - where do we go from here? Scirocco is trying to figure that all out and there are countless opinions on what he should do. It reminds me a little of the whole carousel controversy from a few years back. People tried to block its inclusion in Congress Park, but in retrospect, I think it was much ado about nothing because the carousel has been a very welcome addition for both children and their families. 

I think a limited number of vendors should be allowed in each summer. Maybe a board of locals could vote on which of the different applicants get in or there could be a fair lottery system that randomly selects each year’s vendors.

Does anyone remember the peanut guy who was located across the street from the park where the current parking garage stands back in the early 1980s? He left during my youth and I still miss him. Let’s make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to hot dogs in the park. What’s in a hot dog anyway? (Writer’s ears are covered)