What is time?
To what degree is art a reflection of real life?
What sort of evolutionary herd instincts are buried deep in our DNA and how hard is it to control them?
Does bone broth cure foot-in-mouth disease?
These are but a few of the deeper questions raised after a statement issued by Lago on Sunday evening in response to pictures depicting overcrowding on its patio on the first weekend bars and restaurants in Ohio could reopen under new statewide guidelines and a Facebook comment from TownHall’s GM on the same topic.
Lago and TownHall were just two local examples of a problem seen in some minority of establishments across the state that chose to open: Patios that technically had tables spaced the appropriate distance were filled with many, many more patrons than would seem appropriate even under the state’s sorta vague guidelines. This stoked what local TV stations would call controversy. And likely some spikes in asymptomatic virus transmission.
It also drew the attention of Gov. DeWine, who was prompted to issue a statement, tell a Columbus NBC affiliate the state could pull liquor licenses from offenders (an unlikely but nuclear option), and field questions on the subject from Jake Tapper on CNN.
Lago, which booked a DJ for a socially distant patio dance party that was somehow expected not to get crowded, responded to the viral photos, inquiries from WKYC and DeWine’s comments with a three-pronged statement.
First, “We are so proud to be Clevelanders!”
Noted.
Second, given the photographic and video evidence that crowds exceeded what many would consider appropriate, Lago said, “There were times during our opening that tested those guidelines and we took immediate measures to thin the ‘crowded’ areas. We believe we were able to provide a safe environment for all guests. The pictures are one moment, one angle, one second of time.”
Deep.
The Rashomon argument aside, it’s commendable that Lago would identify problems and address them independently. (They were also fielding questions via phone from Channels 5 and 3 about what they were doing to thin the crowd.) Like DeWine said earlier today, no one want the cops or state to police how restaurants are operating their patios. (And, despite what you may think, we certainly don’t want to establish a patio beat here at Scene. Few things are less attractive than that.)
But that means that restaurants and bars have to police the patios themselves. Something that Lago addressed with plank three of its statement while backtracking on plank two.
“We do not believe it is necessarily our responsibility to ‘control’ our guests. It proved to be largely unrealistic and exceedingly difficult. We are not an enforcement agency.”
Whoa.
There’s a difference between being unable to control patrons and being unwilling to. Ensuring that your patrons are keeping distance and limiting capacity of your patio is no different than making sure someone wears a shirt at your club, or faces repercussions for using offensive language with the staff, or doesn’t get served because they’re visibly drunk. Is it probably harder in this regard? Sure. Is it fun? Probably not, because people are big dumb animals.
That all being said, Lago appears to be dealing with this quickly and in a professional manner.
“We understand and will continue to adjust as necessary,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, up in Ohio City, TownHall was also dealing with criticism for a sardine-packed patio and some indoor seating (allowed, they argue, because the garage doors at the front and back of the restaurant were opened, making the whole place a patio).
The restaurant, owned by Bobby George, has not issued any official statements but TownHall GM Ryan Hartzell responded to a Facebook comment by telling the commenter, “If you hate this country so much go back to the one you came from.”
Toxic.
In a statement issued late Monday, owner Bobby George claimed he had conducted a “full internal investigation” and would be keeping Hartzell on because to do otherwise would be to bend to public pressure. George did not apologize, though the general appearance of the lengthy statement was supposed to give the impression of being sorry without ever actually saying so, but did blame the situation on a former employee.
At any rate, the city of Cleveland issued a warning citation to TownHall for not keeping proper distance, not conducting temperature checks on employees, and not making employees wear masks.
Correction and update: This post was updated on Sunday, May 17 to clarify that while the original Facebook post was made by a black woman, Ryan Hartzell’s comments were made in reply to a Ukrainian man, and then subsequently on Monday, May 18 to include the city of Cleveland’s violation letter.
This article appears in May 13-19, 2020.
Don’t complain when everything gets shut down again.
If you think this virus transmits the way the political liars say it does, 6 feet isn’t going to save you.
Walter Bruckner! Bravo! Thank you for the most astute and searing commentary on this maddening situation I have thus seen You nailed it. Well played.
I knew, absolutely KNEW, that Trump supporter Tommy George would say something stupid and be the obnoxious asshole he has always been. Didn’t take long did it?
Fuck Bobby George, and the whores that shill for him, and the horses they rode into this city on Cleveland on. GTFO and go back to the town of Westlake that you came from. Hope they shut your ass down.
OOPS…Make that Bobby George. One is the father, one is the son. They are both pieces of crap, so it really doesn’t matter too much.
Walter, you need therapy. Good luck.
Looks like one of the Georges (possibly both was pumping someones mom.
Oh, did someone think I meant bringing angry Black guys to Town Hall? That’s totally unnecessary. All you need are regular Black folks just out for a good time. See, Suburban Whites abandon any professional or social institution when one out of three people in the room are Black. That holds true for suburbs, school districts, shopping malls, churches, but especially bars.
Think of them like deer in the Metropark. If one or two people run by, they just keep munching on the grass. But if a whole cross country team runs by, they high tail it out of there.
We Clevelanders have wasted way too much time and money to create the carefully curated environments necessary to attract these little snowflakes: Tremont, Ohio City, Flats East Bank, Downtown, the Muny Lot on Game Day. The list is endless.
And for what? The worst football team in history and a sleazy downtown casino where your old Grandma plays the slots? Yech!
It’s time for us to start taxin’ the snowflakes when they cross our border, by any means necessary.
I think the CFD should schedule hydrant testing on Saturday nights. Too many rubes at Townhall? Hook the pumper up to a hydrant and thin the crowd (or at least wash em). Remember to douse til the water runs clear.
“It’s time for us to start taxin’ the snowflakes when they cross our border, by any means necessary.”
Ok – its a deal. As long as you start picking up the tab for the overwheming number of Clevelanders that freight train through the “Cuyahoga County” court system first.
Sad thing is, you will end up owing the suburbs money!
Btw, I think you have confused who are the snowflakes in that empty little head of yours!
“If you hate this country so much, go back to the one you came from.”
Wow, how intelligent. How clever. How original.
Did he drop a mic after he said that?
Someone should tell the Georges to go back to their country, the City, County and our Country would be better if they did.
Ryan Hartzell is a coke head. Someone should drug test him and fire his racist ass
I went to Town Hall once…on a cold Saturday night in mid-winter when the Brite Winterfest was still in Ohio City. Fire pits and ice scultures.
Frat boys and bitchez. Couldn’t guzzle my Old Style fast enough.
Got the hell out of Dodge and never looked back. F’k that place.
Poor Bobby George. Mad at DeWine for not pushing for rec weed in Ohio. Now his investment in pot will still show losses because our Gov had a backbone.
Bobby George is a GOP puppet who donates heavily to Trump’s campaign and he has had fund-raisers for Dolt 45. He’s also a homophobic asshole who calls anybody who doesn’t like him, or the way he runs his businesses, socialists. So it’s no surprise that his lackeys label his critics as immigrants, who should “go home to wherever they came from.”
These people are not doing Cleveland a favor by providing places for kids to play and jobs for their staff. They are merely greedhead entremanures, who are trying to rake in as much lettuce as possible before they are shut down again, regardless of how many folks die in the process. They are scum, and should be treated as such. Stay away!
Hey, Paddy O’ Tool…how’s tat tinfoil hat working out in all this rain?
Nothing raises credibility more than using the term “globalists” …smh
What do you think the UN is, if not Globalists?
Faceless cowards who work for Russia or GOP (same thing) and have the time to create 200 identities (oh wait, you’re paid to do that) on alternative news sites to push racist agendas are wasting their time typing garbage to make the world a worse place to live in. Please go huff paint and polish your conceal carry
Ummm, no fuckface. We’re here, locally and we’re growing in numbers.
Funny that you believe Lib created Boogeymen are the threat whilst standing in line to hand your freedoms and future away.
I repeat, I won’t be sad to watch it happen to people that had a chance to wake up and take action.
…..and again, if the UNITED NATIONS aren’t GLOBALISTS then what are they?
Google some pictures of Bill Gates’s lapel pin. Look up what it stands for and pay attention to who else is wearing it and what they’re pushing.
Wake Up Shitdick
If wonder if the moron community will be more circumspect after they’ve caused a second lockdown in a month or so.
Naaaah.
Tony George is a two bit felon. His son (the one That’s not a closet gay) over compensate for his racist homophobia. Bobby. Tony. Let your family member come out of the closet. And go to therapy.
“Faceless cowards who work for Russia or GOP (same thing) and have the time to create 200 identities (oh wait, you’re paid to do that) on alternative news sites to push racist agendas are wasting their time typing garbage to make the world a worse place to live in”
Nope, he doesn’t even get paid by anybody…he’s does it for nothing because he IS a nothing– a right-wing keyboard crusader who spams this board day and night because he thinks it’s his JOB and his DUTY.
When he’s not here, he’s asleep in the basemen,t next to his keyboard.
Stupid mofo was here LONG before the Plague hit, spewing racism, anti-Communism, homophobia, and endless anti-Democrat, sexist, anti-media bushwah.
Maybe he’ll fiinally emerge into the summer sunlight and visit a crowded patio, after which he’ll slither home and get sick and die. One can only hope!
“We’re here, locally and we’re growing in numbers.”
Yeah, from ZERO to ONE.
There’s onlyYOU. There IS no “WE”…you’re an army in your own mind.
You don’t scare anybody, you sick, pathetic, twisted POS. Especially ME.
There’s no such thing as a “Proud Union Janitor.”
Hard working Janitors can find nice gigs on their own. You’re just a miscreant that’s be co-opted and sold a bill of goods by Communists that think they can hold American toilets hostage for collateral.
You do the job you’re qualified for, and your meager pittance reflects that.
That’s the best you can do, sonny? I can just see you there, slouching at your keyboard, pudgy face twisted in anti-union, anti-communist rage, saliva dripping down your fat cheeks. I’d like to have you shadow me on a workday, and I could even offer you a bleach cocktail, which you’d be dumb enough to guzzle after toasting your Dear Orange Leader. It would save me a broomstick. And lastly, who the f’k is Karen?
Folks, vote with your feet…
And put your money where your typing fingers are:
B O Y C O T T T O W N H A L L !
Pass the good word along to all your friends…and tell them WHY.
I know the George family and do not trust in their judgement. Hosts fundraisers for Drumpf. Rallies against Governor DeWine. I won’t spend a dime in any of his establishments again. Support McNulty, The Conway’s, anyone BUT the George family.