Ellison’s office threatens single mom, business owner for defying governor’s shutdown order

[Valin]

Alpha News

“I’m not going to give up my liberties, I’m not going to teach my daughters to give up their liberties, and I want them to learn how to fight.”

Anthony Gockowski

November 23, 2020

Larvita McFarquhar, owner of Havens Garden. (Havens Garden/Facebook)

Facing possible fines and jail time, a Minnesota restaurant owner plans to remain open in defiance of Gov. Tim Walz’s COVID-19 executive orders.

As of Saturday, bars and restaurants statewide are prohibited from offering in-person service under Walz’s latest executive action.

“No person in power has the authority to shut down a business for no reason, and pick and choose who can stay open and who cannot. For me, it’s [about] taking a stand. We always want other people to do things, but it’s time that we the people stand up and say, ‘no, we’re not going to agree with these outrageous demands,’” Larvita McFarquhar, owner of Havens Garden in Lynd, Minnesota, told Alpha News.

In a video posted to Facebook last week, McFarquhar announced that Havens Garden plans to host live music and an open mic night on Friday. She was then contacted by a deputy with the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, who asked McFarquhar if she was aware of the governor’s new order and told her she could face fines and jail time for remaining open.

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For The Record this is Not Larvita McFarquhar's 1st rodeo

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS examines lawsuit filed against Gov. Tim Walz challenging closure of non-essential businesses

May 4 2020

 

May 18 2020

[Valin]

Local health agency threatens license of defiant restaurant owner

Kloss said McFarquhar’s restaurant could be ordered to close immediately if “conditions are found that can impact the health and safety of the public.”

Anthony Gockowski

November 28, 2020

A local health agency is threatening to strip a Lynd, Minnesota, restaurant owner of her food service license for proceeding with an open-mic night event on Friday.

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Under an executive order from Gov. Tim Walz, bars and restaurants are required to close for in-person service for at least four weeks to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Now, Southwest Health and Human Services (SWHHS) is threatening to revoke McFarquhar’s food service license for violating that order.

“Haven’s Garden was issued a 2020 Food Service License by SWHHS. This license is contingent on meeting applicable state and local requirements, including Executive Order 20-99. Indoor dining and the planned gathering scheduled for November 27 from 9 p.m. – 11 p.m. would be considered a violation of EO 20-99, requiring SWHHS inspection staff to proceed with enforcement action,” Jason Kloss, environmental health manager for SWHHS, said in a recent letter to McFarquhar.

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[Valin]

 

 

More Here

[Valin]

Waffle House CEO Rips COVID-19 Lockdowns: ‘Decimated’ The Restaurant Industry

[Valin]

NY Pub Resists Cuomo’s Lockdown by Declaring Itself ‘Autonomous Zone’

Tom Ozimek

November 30, 2020

A New York pub has gone to extraordinary lengths to remain afloat after Gov. Andrew Cuomo imposed new lockdown restrictions that affect the establishment, declaring itself an “autonomous zone,” giving out free drinks, and asking for donations.

Following a spike in cases of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, Cuomo announced tighter curbs last week, with part of Staten Island, where Mac’s Public House is located, designated a medium-risk orange zone. The new restrictions, which include the closure of many businesses deemed nonessential and limiting restaurants to outdoor dining and takeout, went into effect on Nov. 25.

Mac’s Public House has continued to operate in defiance of the shutdown order, with management posting a sign declaring the establishment an “autonomous zone,” and featuring the message, “We refuse to abide by any rules and regulations put forth by the Mayor of NYC and Governor of NY State.”

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[Valin]

 

[Valin]

On 11/30/2020 at 6:49 PM, Valin said:

NY Pub Resists Cuomo’s Lockdown by Declaring Itself ‘Autonomous Zone’

Tom Ozimek

November 30, 2020

A New York pub has gone to extraordinary lengths to remain afloat after Gov. Andrew Cuomo imposed new lockdown restrictions that affect the establishment, declaring itself an “autonomous zone,” giving out free drinks, and asking for donations.

Following a spike in cases of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, Cuomo announced tighter curbs last week, with part of Staten Island, where Mac’s Public House is located, designated a medium-risk orange zone. The new restrictions, which include the closure of many businesses deemed nonessential and limiting restaurants to outdoor dining and takeout, went into effect on Nov. 25.

Mac’s Public House has continued to operate in defiance of the shutdown order, with management posting a sign declaring the establishment an “autonomous zone,” and featuring the message, “We refuse to abide by any rules and regulations put forth by the Mayor of NYC and Governor of NY State.”

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Dec. 1 2020

Staten Island bar owner Danny Presti was supposed to join Greg Kelly Reports on Newsmax TV, but he was arrested by order of NY Governor Cuomo's policies, and so his friend John Tabacco joined the show to describe the scene of police officers around the restaurant. - via Greg Kelly Reports, weekdays at 7PM ET on Newsmax TV

[Valin]

Walz closed movie theaters despite no known cases, GOP leader says

[Valin]

Austin mayor stressed residents ‘need to stay home.’ He was vacationing in Cabo at the time

[Valin]

Health agency suspends license of defiant restaurant owner

The letter notes that an SWHHS employee “observed approximately 80 to 100 people consuming food and beverages inside Haven’s Garden.”

Anthony Gockowski

December 3, 202

A local health agency has suspended the food service license of a Lynd, Minnesota, restaurant owner after she opened her café for in-person service in defiance of Gov. Tim Walz’s orders.

Southwest Health and Human Services (SWHHS) sent a letter last week to Larvita McFarquhar, owner of Haven’s Garden, warning her that a scheduled open-mic night would violate the state’s COVID-19 regulations.

McFarquhar was also threatened with thousands of dollars in fines, up to a year in jail and a lawsuit by the Attorney General’s Office, Alpha News reported. She proceeded with the event anyway.

On Wednesday, SWHHS sent McFarquhar a letter to inform her that her food service license has been suspended, meaning she cannot operate her restaurant.

The letter notes that an SWHHS employee “observed approximately 80 to 100 people consuming food and beverages inside Haven’s Garden.”

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[Valin]

VIDEO: Local sheriff called on restaurant owner who won’t obey Walz orders

“Do you guys always take care of this kind of complaint?”

Anthony Gockowski

December 7, 2020

A local sheriff was called on a Lynd, Minnesota, restaurant owner last week because she remained open after one of her licenses was suspended for violating the governor’s coronavirus mandates.

Southwest Health and Human Services (SWHHS) sent a letter Wednesday to Larvita McFarquhar, owner of Haven’s Garden, informing her that her food service license had been suspended because she opened her restaurant for in-person service.

The letter said an SWHHS employee “observed approximately 80 to 100 people consuming food and beverages inside Haven’s Garden” during an open mic-night over the Thanksgiving weekend.

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Dec. 6 2020

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She joined “Fox & Friends” Sunday morning to discuss the situation and vowed to “keep fighting.”

“We have customers coming in from all over the state to say they support us and people from the town are coming in to say they support us and they understand what I am doing, and they want to take a stand with me,” she said.

 

Dec. 6 2020

[Valin]

Hospitality industry pleads with legislature for ‘fighting chance’

Over half of the state’s restaurants and 30% of its hotels face permanent closure.

Scott McClallen

December 9, 2020

(The Center Square) – It’s been 19 days since the second forced closure of many businesses of 2020, and hospitality businesses are on the brink of bankruptcy if aid doesn’t come soon.

For JD Fratzke of Purpose Driven Restaurant Group in St. Paul, it’s the second time he’s been laid off this year.

“No one understands the importance of distancing, cleanliness, and sanitation in a public environment as well as we do,” Fratzke said in a video. “We’ve been practicing it as a matter of good business for decades. *The science of this crisis is undeniable. We’re not asking to be given a pass on community health.

“What we are asking for is a fighting chance for restaurants to remain the seams that hold together the fabric of our communities,” Fratzke said.

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* IsIt?

[Valin]

 

[Valin]

Meanwhile at Cornell University

Quote

A history of mistreatment & lack of access to appropriate care

We recognize that, due to longstanding systemic racism and health inequities in this country, individuals from some marginalized communities may have concerns about needing to agree to such requirements. For example, historically, the bodies the of Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) have been mistreated, and used by people in power, sometimes for profit or medical gain. It is understandable that the current Compact requirements may feel suspect or even exploitative to some BIPOC members of the Cornell community. Additionally, recent acts of violence against Black people by law enforcement may contribute to feelings of distrust or powerlessness. We know this history and validate the potential concerns it may raise. At the same time, we know that long-standing social inequalities and health disparities have resulted in COVID-19 disproportionately affecting BIPOC individuals. Higher percentages of individuals from these communities become infected with COVID, and the health outcomes related to infection are often more serious. Away from campus community, BIPOC individuals are not as likely to have access to preventive services or quality health care. The systems, services, and policies being implemented at Cornell seek to address these inequalities as well as the differential impacts. 

[Valin]

East Grand Forks restaurant reopens, calls Walz actions ‘slap in the face’

East Grand Forks Police Chief Michael Hedlund personally delivered a copy of the governor’s executive order to Moss Wednesday night.

Anthony Gockowski

December 10, 202

 

The owner of Boardwalk Bar & Grill in East Grand Forks, Minnesota, reopened for in-person service Wednesday night in defiance of Gov. Tim Walz’s executive mandates.

“I didn’t feel like I had a choice. I feel like we have been put in a place where we’re losing our businesses. My employees are losing income. I just didn’t have a choice anymore and I didn’t foresee him [Walz] opening up any time soon,” owner Jane Moss said in a video. “We’re looking at probably January or February where most businesses will go out at that time.”

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“He will just continue to put us under his thumb. It’s almost a slap in the face,” Moss said of the governor’s actions.

East Grand Forks Police Chief Michael Hedlund personally delivered a copy of the governor’s executive order to Moss Wednesday night, according to a video from Action 4 Liberty.

*“In my heart I support you, but in my job I cannot,” said Hedlund. “You can probably anticipate that the city will be issuing citations.”

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* "I Was Only Following Orders" Where have we herd that before?

[Valin]

Minnesota restaurant fined $9,000 for non-compliance, two others sued

Gov. Walz is expected to make a decision Monday on whether or not he will extend his restrictions through Dec. 18.

Anthony Gockowski

December 13, 2020

A Minnesota restaurant has been fined more than $9,000 and two others have been sued as the state begins its crackdown on non-compliant business owners.

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, the Iron Waffle in Nisswa was the subject of multiple complaints alleging non-compliance with Gov. Tim Walz’s mask mandate. Efforts to bring the restaurant “into compliance” failed, so the agency issued a cease and desist order in early August.

The restaurant briefly closed but then reopened and ignored an “Administrative Penalty Order” from the Minnesota Department of Health, according to a press release.

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[Valin]

Attorney General sues two more restaurants open for dine-in service

[Valin]

Livelihoods and liberty left in the lurch

Salena Zito

December 20, 2020

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Today, Mikesell is doing whatever he can to keep his doors open. He, too, has been kneecapped by Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s mandated shutdown of restaurants. Now, he's making dinners for four to take home, offering home delivery, and hoping the phone rings for takeout orders.

There have been societal effects from these closures that show both the good and the bad in our culture. Many question how we were so willing as a nation to give up our liberties so quickly. Others find it to be a political occurrence and praise it. Others in the middle wonder how elected officials have become so tone-deaf that they can stand at a podium and destroy their friends' and neighbors' lives, knowing they will walk away from the cameras and the press still holding their jobs. They also wonder if these elected officials have ever sat with a restaurant owner who is on the brink of closing forever, has laid off the staff, and struggles to make ends meet.

People have also turned against each other — hollowed-out souls on social media who scold those they think aren’t doing everything by the book, often reporting them to authorities as well.

Small businesses, including restaurants and gyms, have been hit particularly hard by shutdown orders related to the pandemic. An economic impact report released by Yelp three months ago that tracked business closures through their customer review listings found that nearly 100,000 businesses permanently closed from March 1 through August 31. At that time, about 66,000 others were temporarily closed. One can imagine the permanent closures growing significantly by year's end, especially now that lockdowns have become more strict in recent weeks.

Mook and Mikesell’s stories are not unique. They are just two of millions of people who have become the victims of a pandemic whose deadly path is not limited to being stricken with the virus — from the small businesses that are hanging on by a thread or shuttered forever to the isolation that has led to a dramatic spike in overdoses and suicides.

Years from now, when we walk past the graves of the restaurants, shops, and gyms that didn’t make it, will we ask ourselves how we let this happen? Or will we have accepted that we laid down our liberties one day to flatten a curve and never fought to get them back?

*This is not to say that people should break laws intended to protect the vulnerable from a deadly virus. But it is time to wonder whether the government has wielded too much power with little communication or outreach.

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* Actually I'm thinking that is Exactly what we should be doing.  Quite Simply Refuse To Obey Their Mandates. (I have as uggestion as to where they can go, and what they can do when the get there.)

[Valin]

Courts impose $3,000 daily fines against two restaurants

Alibi Drinkery in Lakeville and The Interchange in Albert Lea were among a large group of restaurants that reopened for in-person service in December in defiance of the governor.

Anthony Gockowski

January 10, 2021

The courts have ordered two Minnesota restaurants to pay $3,000 per day for each and every future violation of Gov. Tim Walz’s COVID-19 orders, a penalty that exceeds the statutory maximum by $2,750.

Alibi Drinkery in Lakeville and The Interchange in Albert Lea were among a large group of restaurants that reopened for in-person service in December in defiance of the governor.

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[Valin]

Restored by local health board, MDH steps in to revoke restaurant owner’s license

McFarquhar received a letter from Commissioner Malcolm Wednesday — 10 days after the governor’s ban on in-person dining was partially lifted — informing her that “the license for Haven’s Garden will be revoked.”

Anthony Gockowski

January 23, 2021

The Minnesota Department of Health informed a restaurant owner this week that her license will be revoked for defying the governor’s COVID-19 executive orders, even though a local health board already reversed its decision to strip the business owner of her license to operate.

Haven’s Garden owner Larvita McFarquhar of Lynd, Minnesota, has been embroiled in a legal battle with the state for two months because of her refusal to comply with Gov. Tim Walz’s executive orders.

“I am not backing down. Period,” she told Alpha News Friday.

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