Town frets at idea of terror via gumballs
Three Dover officials say they've found a serious homeland security threat to chew on: gumballs.
They worry the colorful round treats could be poisoned by an enterprising terrorist who sees them as bait for unsuspecting targets -- young kids.
So, with the approval of the mayor and the skepticism of the police chief in this central Morris County town of 18,000, the three aldermen are in the middle of a nine-month inspection of Dover's coin-operated gumball and candy machines. Thus far, they have surveyed 103 local businesses about their machines. "One of the problems that we have here with homeland security is that it would be very easy for someone to put poison in one of these coin-operated devices that distribute candy to children," Dodd said.However, Police Chief Harold "Butch" Valentine said the police department has no reason to believe terrorists are even contemplating contaminating candy.
"We've never received any information to the contrary. The gumballs are safe," he said.
The odds are remote that candy machines would be targeted by terrorists, he added. "You'd probably win the lottery first," Valentine said.
Thomas Zellman, director of the Morris County Department of Law and Public Safety, agreed that gumball machines are "certainly not" a threat to homeland security.
The aldermen say they conduct their survey on weekends and plan to meet 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Town Hall to continue their inspections. At local taverns, clubs and stores, they log the number of coin-operated machines on a spreadsheet and check for stickers to see if they are licensed.After they submit their report to the mayor, they hope a town committee will make further recommendations.
"We have to sit down as a mayor and board, and come up with a decision on the gumball machines," Poolas said, "for the children."
Yeah, Right....for "The Children"......Freakin Weasels.....!!!!!!...mag
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