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Posted on 07/02/2020 11:38:18 AM PDT by lightman
The Palmyra Italian eatery Taste of Sicily has now racked up $10,000 in fines for allowing customers to eat in their dining room before they moved to the “green” phase of the state’s reopening plan.
The restaurant’s owners showed themselves getting served the latest citation in a video posted to their Facebook page. Two inspectors from the Department of Agriculture enter the Main Street establishment and leave the $4,000 citation behind, without saying a word.
“Would you guys care to do an interview?” co-owner Christine Wartluft asks, while following the men to their car. “And you call yourselves an American, giving hard working people a fine? It’s ridiculous.”
Wartluft gets emotional in a second video, telling viewers she’s frustrated with the way state officials have treated them.
“This stuff can really wear you out if you don’t keep it in check,” she said. “Tough day, but God’s got me.”
Taste of Sicily has gained notoriety around central Pennsylvania for reopening its dining room in mid-May, back when many counties were still in the “yellow” phase.
The Palmyra restaurant had its license temporarily suspended as a result, although Department of Agriculture officials told LebTown that’ll be reinstated once Lebanon County moves to green.
That’s scheduled to happen tomorrow. In that stage, restaurants may resume indoor dining at 50 percent of their capacity, while taking steps to allow social distancing.
Wartluft said Tuesdays have been hard as they wait for the fines to arrive. But she and her family plan to challenge them in Commonwealth Court, she said.
Her brother and co-owner, Mike Mangano, sharply criticized the state — and Gov. Tom Wolf in particular — for fining business owners who he says are just trying to stay afloat amid tough times.
“They don’t understand who they’re dealing with here,” Mangano said in the Facebook video. “We are upright standing people, just coming to work and doing our thing.”
Posted by Taste Of Sicily on Tuesday, June 30, 2020
While the financial consequences might deter some from going against the governor’s wishes, Mangano has made it clear Taste of Sicily has no plans to shut down its dining room or even pay the fines.
“There’s absolutely no fear here,” he said. “We’re going to continue to come to work, and the governor ain’t going to do anything about it.”
Suspension of their license only spurred Mangano, his sister and mother to continue on. In a press conference last month, Mangano encouraged other business owners to follow their example.
“We don’t care what the repercussions may be. We want the world to see how ridiculous it is for being penalized to go to work,” he said. “Nobody’s asking business owners to take up arms or go to war. Open your doors already.”
During the Facebook Live, a woman on the street asks Wartluft if they’re open and if she needs to wear a mask to come inside.
“No, you do not have to wear a mask,” she said. “I’m just honest, what are you wearing a mask for?”
Lebanon County’s Republican legislators have all voiced support for Taste of Sicily.
“Taste of Sicily is the first domino,” said Rep. Russ Diamond. “Go, open your business! Go enjoy your life!”
Mangano remained steadfast Tuesday in his plans to ignore the fines.
“Some rob you with a gun, while others rob you with a pen,” he said of Wolf. “We ain’t paying crap.”
“We ain’t paying crap.”
Pennsylvania Ping!
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Right on!!
They’ll send Gino and Vinnie with the payment.
I would require they present ID but leave their masks on then toss the ticket as fake not being able to prove they were real.
A completely sane man and his wife. God bless them please, with great lawyers, support from the community and record-breaking business.
These fellow Americans...only need some photos of these hypocrates being hypocrates...gotta be plenty of opportunities. Governor must be easy to snag.
Don’t mess with Sicilians.
Burn down a business, get praised by rat governors.
Run a business, get fined by rat governors.
I am in California so I can’t frequent this place, does anyone know if they have an account set up for donations?
So nice to see someone with guts fight the state. I don’t think I would have the courage.
More of this is needed. Folks in the blue states need to become ungovernable as long as these marxist dictators are in charge.
God bless these people
““No, you do not have to wear a mask,” she said. “I’m just honest, what are you wearing a mask for?”
Words that make every FRearper quake.
They don’t understand who they’re dealing with here,” Mangano said in the Facebook video. “We are upright standing people, just coming to work and doing OUR THING.”
In case you didn’t know, the name given to the Sicilian Mafia by its adherents is La Cosa Nostra, which translates to OUR THING.
Did the governor upset the wrong folks?
Bumper sticker material right there.
Thank that freak PA health director.
“while following the men to their car . . .”
Ain’t that how they got Hoffa?
Even most WOPs left Philly.
They’re in DelCo now.
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