As Carroll High School prepares for its annual homecoming festival, a dispute has erupted between the school and a local business over food truck fees. The Mardi Gras-style event, expected to draw thousands of alumni and guests this week, is set to feature dozens of food trucks lining Renwick Street.
However, the celebration’s excitement has been dampened by allegations of unauthorized fee collection.
Unauthorized Fees Alleged
The Miller Companies, owners of Miller Funeral Home, claim that Carroll High School has been charging food truck vendors a $350 fee to set up and operate on their property without permission. This practice has reportedly been ongoing for three years.
“We’ve had nothing to do with that money. We’ve never seen it,” stated Mrs. Miller, a president of the Miller Companies, saying the company never charges food trucks and did not authorize anyone to charge a fee on their property.
“We even allow political candidates to put their signs on the property without a charge,” said Mrs. Miller, matriarch of the Miller family.
The company asserts that while they do charge a $5 parking fee for their funeral home parking lot, food trucks are permitted to use the vacant lot free of charge, provided they sign a liability waiver.
Dispute Origins
The controversy reportedly began during Eric Davis’s tenure as principal. Mrs. Miller recounted a confrontational incident: “He barged into our office without even speaking and told us that we did not have any control over the land because it belonged to the city.”
In response, Mrs. Miller visited the school to clarify the property ownership. “I went over to the school without an appointment, just like he came into our office, to tell him that we own the property and our family has never charged to use the property for civic activities.”
Patrick Taylor, Carroll’s present principal, said the school does not charge for food trucks on land that does not belong to the school. He doesn’t have permission to do that and never will without permission. Taylor said he had nothing to do with any arrangements made under the Davis principalship.
Community Commitment
Mrs. Miller emphasized the family’s commitment to community support.
“Miller’s always gives back to the community and never charges for community events to be held on the property,” she stated.
Mrs. Miller said, the matter came to her attention again this year when three food truck operators contacted her, questioning the high fees supposedly charged by the funeral home.
Event Background
Carroll High School’s homecoming festival is an annual event that transforms the area into a vibrant celebration reminiscent of Mardi Gras. The festivities, centered around alumni reunion and community gathering, typically feature various activities, including sound stages, alumni tents, and scores of nostalgia vendors, as well as the popular food truck lineup.
The property in question, which belongs to Miller Funeral Home, is situated between Marbles Recreation Center and Miller’s Funeral Home on Renwick, has been a focal point for the event’s food vendors.
The Free Press unsuccessfully reached out to Carroll High School Monday for comment.
