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The letter printed with this opinion piece, was sent to
Councilwoman Yvonne Harper, who read it during final call at
the May 20th meeting of Toledo City Council
As an organized group of
concerned citizens and business owners in Lucas County,
Toledo Metropolitan Tavern and Pub Association was shocked
to find out that conversations and meetings had taken place
and guidelines for re-opening the Greater Toledo Area had
been discussed and shared without notification, input or
inclusion of anyone from our organization which represents a
portion of the community that is often overlooked.
Shocked because since our
inception we have worked tirelessly to bring the voices and
concerns of our members and associates to the notice of
Toledo city officials. It took a “nicety” open letter from
our organization to get the attention of 22nd
floor. It took us calling out the promises that were made
and unfulfilled for Gretchen Debacker, legislative director
to Mayor Kapszukiewicz, to reach out to our President and
invite our organization to a Zoom meeting on reopening.
Being regarded as an
afterthought is unacceptable.
Too often, when dealing
with the fall out of Covid-19, we have seen a true disregard
for minority voices that need to be heard. Instead of
listening to these voices and the people behind them, our
leaders are talking at, lecturing and appointing
representatives to hold conversations for the viewing
pleasure of the community.
We are enthused, excited
even, about the progress and assistance that some businesses
and owners have received from the city. Assistance such as
relaxed guidelines on permits and the ability to expand into
public space to account for the mandated social distancing.
Be reminded, Until Tuesday we were still patiently waiting
on our turn to have a conversation on what can be done for
businesses outside of the downtown area. What we have been
seeing is local neighborhood bars and small mom & pop cafés
operating almost in secret out of income necessity, but with
fear of penalty for their inability to meet the guidelines
given. This should not be the case in a community that is
pro small business across the board.
TMTPA understands that in
these uncertain times and as information updates things
happen quickly, and in some cases, in an effort to get
information to the people quickly decision makers often push
through what seems like the easiest answer for all.
However, realistically taking the “one size fits all”
approach does more damage than good and can leave some
business owners feeling helpless and unheard. As we can now
see through various examples of businesses who chose to open
and attempt to enforce the guidelines, what seemed to be a
good idea on paper is quite unenforceable in real-life. It
will continue to be unenforceable without further assistance
or more defined guidelines specific to each industry. What
works for eat-in restaurants, will not work for Sky Zone,
which will not work for the Huntington Center, which does
not work for all Bars/Clubs. Umbrella all-encompassing
rules cannot be enforced or expected to be respected by
business owners when the decision makers did not afford the
owners the same respect in making them.
As TMTPA continues to
offer assistance and support to members, as well as,
non-members who contact us for assistance on how best to
stay compliant with the now “standard guidelines” to
re-opening. Without further inclusion in on-going
conversations, as things are rapidly changing, our guidance
can only go so far.
TMTPA remains hopeful that
local leaders and city officials remain true to the promises
that were made to us. Promises of being open to feedback
from our community and proactive inclusion in conversations
that affect all of us. Promises like the creation of the
Night Life Advisory Board and review of the current nuisance
law that the repealed ordinance was meant to replace.
Promises that have not been kept. This unfortunate failure
to act pro-actively has led reinforced strong beliefs in our
community the higher-ups within our local government are not
interested in saving or helping businesses that do not meet
favored criteria of a certain location, industry, clientele,
and demographics. This is the message being sent to us and
the community and TMTPA will continue to hold our leaders
accountable until this mindset changes.
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