No “ethnic” or “gourmet” food to be sold by new concessionaire

Only one
proposal
is received
Grady County Commissioners wanted a concessionaire at Barber Park that not only sold snacks, but would offer “ethnic” and “gourmet” food choices on the menu, but the one bidder who responded offered none of that.
The lone bidder, Yo Yo’s Wingz N Thangs, 1289 Rest St. S.W., Cairo, owned by Yolanda Davis, is offering to pay the county a lump sum of $300 for the right to serve as the operator of the Barber Park concessions.
According to her application, Ms. Davis has been in the concessions business for 15 years.
Davis included in her proposal pricing for the various items she intends to sell at the county’s recreation facility. Including hot dogs – $1; chili dogs – $1.50; hamburgers, plain – $2.00; hamburgers, all the way – $2.75; wings, 6 with chips – $5; 100 wings with 2 large bags of chips and two liter soda – $75; rib sandwich – $6; candy – $1 each; fruit cup, 12 oz. – $2.00; and ice cream – $1 per scoop.
Since 2014, the concessions have been operated by Robert Burks Kimmel Jr., d.b.a. Hawg Lick Smokehouse, who paid the county $600 per year for the right to serve as the park concessionaire.
Prior to 2014, the concessionaire was Basehit Enterprises, which was owned and operated by Tim Bracewell, husband of Grady County Recreation Director Becky Bracewell. Basehit Enterprises paid the county $800 in 2012 and in their last full year of operation in 2013 the firm paid the county $1,348.50 for the county’s share of the concession stand profits.
Tim Bracewell operated the concession stand at the park for many years including several years before his wife was named the recreation director. After questions of a conflict of interest were raised in January 2014 by former District 2 County Commissioner Billy Poitevint, Tim Bracewell resigned.
On Tuesday night, Commissioner Keith Moye asked if the vendor was also required to pay the county a percentage of sales. According to County Administrator Carlos Tobar, the lone bidder was only required to pay the lump sum, which Davis bid $300.
Commissioner T.D. David asked if Recreation Department Director Becky Bracewell had met with the bidder and approved of Davis as the concessionaire. According to Tobar, Rec Director Bracewell had met with Davis and approved her proposed menu offerings and prices.
“The prices are considerably lower than they were,” Vice Chairman Ray Prince commented.
The board voted unanimously to accept Davis’ proposal.