Posted on 05/11/2020 5:42:03 PM PDT by lightman
Enola barber Brad Shepler had a busy Monday, with a consistent stream of customers calling and coming to his shop for their first cuts and shaves since mid-March. It was Shepler’s first day opening since COVID-19 forced the closure of businesses across the state, a closure that Shepler has decided he can’t abide by anymore.
Shepler’s shop, at 706 Wertzville Road, is located on the bottom level of his home that he shares with his two daughters and his wife. The veteran has three cutting stations and a small waiting area where two people were sitting Monday afternoon while a third his hair trimmed.
Shepler said just like it is his decision to reopen, his customers have the decision on whether or not to come into the barbershop.
“I believe in choice. You choose not to come, that’s fine. But at the same time, I need to do my best,” Shepler said. “It’s my responsibility to make a living, take care of my family.”
Shepler sees himself as one of many business owners, in Pennsylvania and across the country, who have reached a point where they just can’t stay closed any longer. Another one locally that has opened its doors in defiance of Wolf’s closure orders is a York diner, which is providing dine-in service.
“My decision to reopen is purely financial. I’ve gotta pay my bills. I have a mortgage, I’ve got two kids to take care of, you know,” Shepler said. “I became self-employed 20 years ago, figured I’d be able to take care of myself and at some point, the public can decide if they want to risk themselves and come in here.”
The bank still wants its money, Shepler said, and since he has not formally filed for unemployment, he has received no money from the government. He has applied but not filed a claim for unemployment, he said.
“I’m just at the point where I don’t want somebody to take care of me, I just want to earn a living,” Shepler said.
Word spread about Shepler’s business reopening after he posted a video of his business being visited by East Pennsboro Twp. police over his lunch break.
The video shows what appeared to be a polite interaction Ewith Shepler acknowledging the reasons the police were there, the officers giving a verbal warning, and Shepler saying they did not have the power to punish his business for operating.
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Me and an old worker buddy would be there in the morning but we’d have to cross 4 states. Ron looks like his draft picture in ‘69 and my wife gave me the last one and I gotta better one entering basic training in ‘71. MAGA
Where is this?
The rebellion continues one person at a time. And, how appropriate, Enola spelled backwards is alone. I have a feeling East Pennsboro police are feeling a little alone too.
Just on the other side of the river from Harrisburg. Cumberland county
Not too far from US 11/15.
You can also reach Wertzville Rd from Interstate 81.
“I don’t begrudge the police,” Shepler said. “They’ve got a job to do. I just happen to know my constitutional rights. I just happen to know my constitutional rights and I’m going to exercise them. That’s just the way I see it.”
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I begrudge the police. They take an oath to uphold the Constitution and that supersedes obeying unconstitutional orders.
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