Big brother or big bully?
We all know Las Vegas has one of the worst unemployment rates in the country, probably almost 20%. People are struggling to make ends meet, especially small business owners. The small business owner is the crux of the economy in this country. We all have enjoyed going into that "mom and pop" store and soaked up the atmosphere in the business.
This past weekend, friends and I were enjoying the food and company at one of our favorite restaurants. The owners are in elderly couple, in their late 70s, who cook and wait tables. When we arrive on Sunday, our special tables are reserved, and our food is prepared without us looking at the menus. They are so accustomed to us and our eating habits, that our meal is custom made. After enjoying about seven different entrée plates, we enjoy a special dessert, found nowhere else in town. Each week we are treated to a different dessert.
After our meal, we sit and chat with the owners. Both are gentle souls and appreciate our company.
Due to the popularity of their food, they were voted by the people as one the most popular restaurants in town. The owners, proud of their accomplishment, had small banners made proclaiming their prestigious status. We help them hang the small banners from an overhang in front of the business, and mounted another banner to the wall behind the business.
While chatting with them this last Sunday, they relayed that an inspector from the city of Las Vegas came in and warned them about their banners. The inspector stated they were in violation for posting the banners without a permit. The permit cost, per banner, was $300 per month. Inspector then chastised the owners for not having a permit and told them that they face the possibility of jail time for the violation. They were given to the 12th of the month to remove the banners.
This particular restaurant is what you would call "a hole in the wall" business, and is manned mostly by the owners. They were appalled that the inspector threatened them with jail time for such a trivial violation.
The banners were made from vinyl, and were approximately 4' x 10" in size, with no framework involved. They were not obscuring anyone's view. They were not placed in anyone’s path. They were securely fastened to the overhang.
This couple struggles to maintain this restaurant, even with their popularity among the people. To have a government official threatened seniors, with jail time, for a violation that most people didn't even know existed, is ludicrous.
Another business owner told me that he rented his particular space for his fully equipped restaurant at a cost of $15,000 a month, for approximately 6 months, while waiting for the County to approve his permits. He stated his costs for those six months almost put him out of business, before his business started. Six months waiting for permits?
Do these officials realize their efforts to nickel and dime small businesses will also affect their jobs? If their concentrated efforts put these small businesses out of business, they will have no one to pick on.
And is it so serious that a small business owner can proudly proclaim on a small banner, hanging from their storefront, that they are the "People’s Choice”?
For a government official to threaten an elderly citizen with jail time instead of remedying the situation is unacceptable. Fortunately, the business owners shrugged inspector's comments off.
The same business owners also stated that in order to get a consult from an official at the health department for a proposed buffet would cost over $300. A consult.
Everyone knows the economy is bad. But it seems small government is trying to get all its money back by concentrating on the easy, trivial matters, and causing heartburn for the small business owner who can't afford a corporate attorney.
The remedy, as far as I'm concerned, is easy.
The inspector, I'm sure has the ability to issue a warning. The warning will give a date for the violation to be corrected. If not corrected by the date, a fine will be imposed. No threats needed. The needed information is given, lesson is learned, and the business owner can continue operating his business.
Big brother needs to realize that they are not the neighborhood bully, or some hoodlum terrorizing the neighborhood businesses.
Give the little guy a break…
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