The guy on the left is Addison Niles, the man for whom Niles is named. This portrait was recently purchased on eBay by members of the Niles clan in Upstate New York. They seem to know a lot about the guy. For the story that ran in today’s paper, click here.

It’s been a rough summer in Fremont. No Civil War Days, no Festival of India parade, but at least my #1 favorite Tri-City area event is back this Sunday. I had a total blast covering the Niles Antique Faire last year, even though several people told me how all of the police officers and code enforcement officials were ruining it for everyone. I got an earful from a guy who got his unlicensed  Mexican food stand closed down and a 12-year-old who said he was made to shut down a lemonade stand. Several other folks said code enforcement officials were giving them a hard time about their garage sales.

So yesterday when I was writing a preview of this year’s event, which is in today’s paper, I tried to find out why all of a sudden the authorities became such sticklers for the rules. I failed.
Keith Elrod of Niles Main Street Association said his group didn’t ask for tougher enforcement.  Police spokesman Bill Veteran said police had to accompany code enforcement officials who received threats last year, but that they had no interest in shutting down lemonade stands. The fire department declared its innocence too.

One person who should be in the know said confidentially that the call for more enforcement came from Niles residents themselves. I didn’t put that in the story, because, well, I wasn’t convinced it was true. I would never underestimate the capacity for Niles people to disagree, and I could see people complaining about illegal parking. But an upswell of neighborhood disgust over unlicensed Mexican food stands, and dodgy lawn sales? Hard to fathom.

Anyway, one thing is clear. The code enforcement people will be out again this year. I’ll be back too, but only to shop and maybe to get some lemonade, if the kids are allowed to sell it.

From my favorite Niles chat group: The Planning Commission is considering amending or revoking the use permit for Niles Banquet Hall, owned by Ohlone College and Water Board Trustee John Weed.

One wedding reception this year ended in a shooting and another in a stabbing.

If I wasn’t 3,000 miles away on vacation, I’d call John Weed and the city and find out exactly what’s going on. But that will have to wait.

Here’s what I saw on the chat group:

NILES HALL - 37270 NILES BOULEVARD - (PLN2009-00004) - to consider
modification or revocation of a Conditional Use Permit or Permits that
currently allow a nightclub and social hall in the Niles Planning
Area. This project is categorically exempt under California
Environmental Quality Act guideline 15301, Existing Facilities and
15321, Enforcement Actions by Regulatory Agencies.

UPDATE: John Weed’s reply on the Niles group follows: Read the rest of this entry »

This is something else that the Voice had, and I neglected. Click here for details.