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Painesville Little League tells council losing concession-stand rights would cut community programs
Summary
Three residents, including the league president, told Painesville City Council that a recent city direction to allow third-party use of a long‑operated concession stand effectively evicts the league and would reduce fundraising and youth volunteering opportunities; council said it would take comments under advisement and will respond.
Rob Boehm, who identified himself as president of Painesville Little League, told Painesville City Council that last week he was informed the city had directed the parks/public‑lands office to allow third‑party use of the league’s concession stand, “effectively evicting us from that stand.” He said the stand was built with league funds and volunteers in the late 1950s and that the league had exercised “60 plus years of exclusive operation.”
Booth and two other residents described the concession stand as central to volunteer and fundraising activity that keeps youth participation affordable. “Revenue from the stand supports the league resources, equipment, and experiences for our kids,” Boehm said. “This is about youth … It teaches them teamwork, pride, and community service.”
James Pemberton, who gave his address as 436 South St. Clair, said revoking the league’s concession rights and allowing a third‑party vendor that must pay staff and operating costs could raise prices and place concessions out of reach for some children. “American families are struggling, and there are many children out there who simply are victims of their …” Pemberton said, urging the council to allow the league to continue operating the stand.
Jennifer Yankee, a parent and volunteer who said she lives at 231 Brentwood Drive and has worked in the league concession stand, described routine informal charity at the stand: “There were many times where a few parents would say, ‘It’s okay. Keep the change.’ … We never turned them away. We always made sure those kids always got fed. That way, they were never left out.”
Council did not take any formal action on the comments during the meeting. The acting president of council said staff and council would take the remarks into consideration and follow up. “We will get back to you,” a council member told the visitors.
The presentation and public comments came during the public‑comment portion of the meeting; members of council later thanked the Little League representatives for attending. No ordinance, motion, or vote related to the concession stand was recorded at the session.
