Pulaski County’s ban on in-restaurant dining is drawing criticism from some elected officials. County Council Member Mike Tiede told the rest of the council and commissioners Monday that restaurant owners in his district aren’t very happy. “So I think we shouldn’t charge them property taxes if they can’t open,” he said.
Pulaski County Health Officer Dr. Rex Allman last week ordered restaurants to switch to carry-out only, as the county moved up to the red designation on the state’s metrics map. During Monday’s joint council and commissioners meeting, Tiede argued that the order hasn’t stopped Pulaski County residents from eating out but has simply caused them to crowd into restaurants in neighboring counties.
Council Member Rudy DeSabatine didn’t think it was fair that restaurants that have been taking the proper precautions should be forced to close. “The ones I’ve been to have met every criteria asked of them,” DeSabatine said. “They’re separating people. They’re wearing masks. They’re cleaning stuff. The tables are being cleaned. Everything’s being done that they can possibly do. And they’re still being punished over this, and Braun’s has still got 800 people – and not that I’ve got anything against Braun’s – but they’ve still got 800 people gathering every day in their building.”
Commissioner Mike McClure felt that Dr. Allman was simply trying to do the best he could to keep residents safe, but still, he hoped he could persuade him to change his mind. “Our count’s down,” McClure said. “We’re below 15 percent, and we was above 15 percent. So I think we can persuade him into letting them reopen Wednesday. That’s my hope, anyhow.”
The issue is expected to be discussed during the county’s Incident Management Team meeting Tuesday morning.
