Whaley having it both ways

To be clear, even though Mayor Nan Whaley thinks and acts like she runs the city, she is but one vote on a commission of five, that is supposed to provide oversight on the City Manager. The City Manager is supposed to run this city.

Unfortunately, that’s not how things work in real life. City Manager Shelley Dickstein is beyond incompetent (see Wayne Avenue Kroger fiasco for starters) , and the four sitting city commissioners have zero interest in doing their jobs.

In the meantime, small businesses are getting mixed messages. Nan has basically said that she and her husband wouldn’t be caught dead in a restaurant or eating on a patio now and she’s done everything in her power to make it difficult for those brave enough to open, to succeed:

But the city of Dayton this week announced that right now it will not issue new outdoor seating permits and will not approve requests to expand outdoor seating.

The city also said for the time being it will not allow restaurants to use parking areas to offer open-air seating.

Mayor Whaley said she wishes people would hold off on going out to eat or drink in Dayton until at least the end of the month when Dayton Children’s Hospital expects to have public coronavirus testing in place.

Testing should start May 18, and Children’s expects to be able to do 10,500 tests per week for the region, which would make a huge difference to identify sick people and coronavirus hot spots, Whaley said.

Whaley said she believes testing should be firmly in place by May 25, at which time she should feel more comfortable about dining and drinking activities, though she still urges citizens to be careful and socially distance and avoid crowding.

Source: Coronavirus: Restaurants to open outdoor dining today: here’s how

Restaurant owners are scared. Their employees will be at risk, since diners can’t eat with a mask on. The virus can be expelled just by talking- and hang around for as long as 10 minutes in the air. They have to go through insane cleaning regimens to keep both diners and employees safe. Food supplies are still a bit hinky. It’s going to be almost impossible to predict volume, or diners choices, meaning food waste will be high. And, testing remains spotty and expensive and inaccurate.

Nan Whaley text to salon owner

Nan Whaley sending texts to salons, while dissing restaurants

On the other hand, salons and barber shops are trying to open up. And in my FB feed, I see she’s sending well wishes to salon owners via text. And while masks can be worn by both parties when doing hair, you are in close proximity for an extended period of time. The risk is also high.

Yes these are difficult times. Yes, the decisions are hard. But, in a city that already loves to pick winners and losers in “economic development” via government support, this is not the time to show favoritism.

There will be different approaches taken by every establishment to try to comply with the safety guidelines. Some businesses have done an amazing switch over to the new reality and earned respect. From the large essential businesses- like Costco and Trader Joe’s, who’ve gone above and beyond as leaders in revamping, to small places like Ginger and Spice on Brown Street or Olive Mediterranean Grill downtown or Stoney’s Munchie Bar.

Right now, it’s ok to be scared, it’s ok to warn people, but, we’re all going to have to act like adults and try to work together and build each other up, instead of tearing away at what may be the first last chance to save their businesses.

As Cameron Mitchell, the restaurant guru of Columbus said, “I can afford to open back up once. Not twice.”

People, please, use common sense. Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Physically distance yourself as much as possible, and don’t go out if you feel even a little bit less than 100%

We’re only 4 months into this. We’ve got a lot to learn, a lot of adjustments to make, and our “leaders” need to help, not harm our efforts.

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