Scottie sues Pitt, city

While the food trucks in Schenley Plaza have been fighting to stay recently, their neighbor… While the food trucks in Schenley Plaza have been fighting to stay recently, their neighbor has been facing removal for much longer.

Gene Scott, known to the University community as “Scottie,” has been serving hot dogs from his Forbes Avenue cart for more than a decade. Scott had a peddler’s permit, which required him to move every 15 minutes, unlike the food trucks’ stationary vendor licenses.

While he had this permit, Scott was cited numerous times by the Bureau of Building Inspection and the City Fire Marshal.

Recently, Scott made a request to remain at his current spot, at the corner of Hillman Library by Forbes Avenue, after a new city ordinance set restrictions on city vending sites. His request was rejected by City Council.

Scott responded by suing the city of Pittsburgh and the University. The charges include civil rights violations, alleging that the city and the University are discriminating against Scott because he is black.

“These charges are the sideshow to the main show: Give Scottie his request,” said Joseph J. Chester, Scott’s attorney.

“City Council did not approve the site where [Scott] is vending,” said George Specter, who is handling the case on behalf of the city. “There are other sites he could go, but Scott will not move.”

Specter denies any implication of racism, saying the case is “about the spot and what’s he doing there. It’s as simple as that.”

Chester said the city clerk denied his “grandfathering” request, though City Council never offically made a decision on it.

“It takes the authority of City Council to turn down [Scott’s] request,” Chester said.

Specter said the city clerk was “only the messenger,” and City Council considered Scott’s request and rejected it.

“I don’t understand why the University wouldn’t want Scottie around,” Chester said, adding that the vendor was college-educated and a veteran.

“Manhattan is full of people like him, and they make the city what it is,” he said.

The University of Pittsburgh declined to comment, as the matter pertains to pending litigation.