Lackmann: A Tale of Two Burgers

by Michelle Hausman

Recently, I met with Lackmann manager, Mark Katona, and we had quite the interesting exchange of words. I had originally gone in to discuss with him the Lackmann employee meeting that was to take place later on that day, but I came out with another adventure to add to the long epic of Lackmann; I call this chapter, The Tale of Two Burgers.

My question, which required only a simple yes or no answer, became an ongoing dialogue of repetition regarding Sean Jackson, sanitation, and the option of cooking my own raw hamburger meat. What I had asked Mr. Katona was, could I sit in at the meeting that afternoon as a representative of the Delphian? Because of all the current issues going on behind the scenes with Lackmann, I thought I could bring out of it some hope for the students and faculty of Adelphi. Apparently though, I am a threatening person who provokes fear and rambling, or maybe he thought I was so inferior that I would not be able to see through the sophisry he was feeding me. I have to say, I don't like to characterize as a complete ass, but this guy was asking for it.

"The meeting is only for employees of Lackmann, and we will only be discussing their sanitation and manners with their customers", he said. It would have been great had he stopped there; in fact, it would have been good publicity - but no, he kept going, digging his own ditch. He gave me the offer to "take a stack of uncooked burgers back to see how long it takes for them to cook." This was quite the insult to me, since it came out of nowhere. I didn't even bring up the situation about the smaller burgers and Jackson's ready defense. I barely even said a word during the conversation. I was being a mature adult and where I would have liked to give my own opinion, I remained professional.

He then asked me not two times, but three more times, if I would like some of my own meat to cook. He then told me about Sean... that "he became violent and was a threat to other employees." So after a complete waste of twenty minutes of my time, except for the result of this amusing editorial, I just had to laugh it off. It is freaking food man, what is there to hide?

All in all, this man in no way represents the whole of Lackmann's employees. Many are fellow students of yours who are just working hard to earn a buck and do not have any say in what goes on. You have seen the results of what happens to those who speak on our behalf. Many other employees (non-students) are also just working hard to earn a living and are very friendly. For those of you who usually do not visit Post much, the atmosphere there is a lot more welcoming. If you ever feel intruded upon by the managerial staff in the office in the UC, feel free to come over to Post. I just feel badly for those who have to work at the UC under the constant watchful eyes of Mark Katona, because if you should ever do something to help a student, your doom awaits you.