Concession operator caught unaware, lost vending machines to Norcross

Posted October 26, 2012

Ron Smith is at a loss to understand what led the Town to decide it wasn't going to renew the contract he and his wife Grace have had since September 2007 to provide concession services at arenas in Beeton and Tottenham.

Mr. Smith, an 8th Line resident, told Free Press Online this morning that the first indication came via a telephone call from a parks and recreation department employee just before the current minor hockey season got underway that changes were possibly in the offing, and to hold off preparing the booth to open. That contact was followed up by another Town employee informing him that they were not going to grant an extension.

Operated under the name Ron-Mar Beverages, Mr. Smith said there was no reason provided. The contract term had expired. They had initially signed on for three years, and were granted a two year extension.

"I haven't seen anything as of yet," he said over the phone. "We're just waiting to find out what is going on."

Yesterday's posting of the tender call for new bidders was another surprise as he wasn't aware it was ready. He has been tapped to operate concessions tonight to serve a function going on at Tottenham Arena, but beyond that is unknown.

The other head scratcher was the suggestion he has been circumventing the contract Coca Cola has with the Town for its exclusive access to the recreation facilities in New Tecumseth, by not purchasing product directly from the approved supplier.

As explained yesterday by Mayor Mike MacEachern via email, "we have a contract with Coke which Coke paid the Town for exclusive rights to our facilities. Part of that contract is to buy the product directly from Coke to stock the machines. Coke was upset when they discovered that this was not happening in some of our facilities. Coke then specifically named in the contract who could service the machines."

That person is Ward 6 councillor Richard Norcross, who holds the concessions contract and vending rights at the New Tecumseth Recreation Centre (NTRC). About two years ago that was extended to include Beeton and Tottenham. But that wasn't revealed publicly at least, until last month during council's discussion about buying out Mr. Norcross's lease on the Hornet's Nest. It was explained that Coke wanted to deal with only one person.

Mr. Smith said up to that point, the vending machines in Beeton and Tottenham arena were part of Ron-Mar's business.

"I was given the keys from one of the reps, I filled them up, then all of a sudden I wasn't," he said. "It was switched over due to Mr. Norcross getting the Coke contract. I just accepted that. I'm not going to go against political issues."

He also bristles at the suggestion that he wasn't dealing with Coke as per the contract since he worked for Coke distribution several years ago, servicing vending machines and understands how it works.

"It's in my veins," said Mr. Smith, who noted he buys all his products from approved wholesalers in Barrie and Toronto that supply the food and beverage industry, with "every item that Coca Cola sells."

"The Town has to use Coke products, I understand that, and I believe in that," he said. "It sounds like maybe we were supposed to buy from Mr. Norcross."

And he explains the miscommunication could be because no one from Coca Cola, nor Mr. Norcross have been in contact with him to discuss those issues.

"We have never had representatives come in to see us. I have not a card or correspondance. I haven't had anyone come in to say we're not doing this or that," he said. "How come Coca Cola has not been in to see me? All I know is the distribution is done out of Barrie Coca Cola."

He noted past problems trying to get service, in particular for two coolers wasting away at Beeton Arena.

"Am I supposed to go running, crying to find out who it is I have to deal with? he asked. "Is it Mr. Norcross or is he supposed to come and see me?"

Despite the setback, he intends to submit a bid to win back the concessions which have been closed since last season. They were looking forward to using the new fryers in Tottenham which took over a year to get installed. Not having them cost them revenue (no fries for sale). There was also the lost time they experienced during the renovations in Tottenham that closed the concessions during the fitness centre construction.

"I'm a little disheartened, but I'll see what they're looking for. I can operate in good standards. I'm here for the community, I believe in it."

Mayor MacEachern reiterated this morning that there was nothing sinister at work behind the decision to retender the business, nor behind the changes that boosted Mr. Norcross's hold on the Coca Cola contract.

"The reason for the vending rights to be organized at the facilities the way they are relates to the Coke contract and happened several years ago," he wrote via email. "The reason the concessions are out to tender as I have said now several times is the contract ended for the concessions in Beeton and Tottenham."

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