John Chiv: The BOS' incompetence is what is preventing them from getting revenue from the cafe on the third floor

Sep 11, 2021

The BOS' incompetence is what is preventing them from getting revenue from the cafe on the third floor

There are many local restaurants who stayed open, despite the challenges of COVID 19. Many who did not get rent waivers and breaks or PPP loans.

They work hard, their food is good and they understand customer service. Support them.

The BOS and County make decision after decision that negatively impacts your pocketbook. Lawsuits, settlements, wrong choices about public defenders to name a few.

They have no respect for your hard earned money. It is your choice if you want to flush your money down the toilet and to continue paying taxes with no accountability and elect people who play with other's hard earned money.

Your weakness and apathy unfortunately impacts me and others. Why should I or any resident and hard working business suffer the consequences of your bad decisions and selfishness?

The County has not been getting any revenue from the cafe located on the third floor of the Courthouse since March last year. That was something in their control.

Read the staff report. Repairs have been brought up before as the excuse to delay reopening of the cafe. So why is that reason being brought up again? The Board of Supervisors and the County have no control over Environmental Health to expedite the process in this case?

That rent is cheap for the location and there is guaranteed business.

Refrigerator or not; Christopher Rohrs told people at the courthouse that he got a PPP loan. What has he done with that money?

If Rohrs wanted, the cafe could be open with some non perishable and pre packaged items and coffee, even for a couple of hours.

The entire restaurant industry has been impacted by COVID 19. Other people have managed without rent waivers and PPP loans.

That cafe has stand alone refrigeration units and freezers. If you want to work; you find a way. The rent is cheap.

The BOS rewards a lazy man. All Rohrs did since he took over the cafe is whine. It is never him or his fault; it is always something else or somebody else. Minimum wage increases, food costs affect every restaurant.

The previous owner, Jeannie Fleek, cooked delicious food at reasonable prices. She valued and appreciated every customer. She worked hard, long hours and on weekends.

Many businesses do the same. I support the many local businesses and the owners who I see working 24/7. They kept their doors open, paid their employees and did it despite PG & E blackouts, COVID and did it without having the usual Humboldt "side" cash flow. Good, honest, hard work.

The County should end Rohrs' lease, cut the losses and get someone else in there who is motivated and knows how to run a business. The food industry is tough and it takes a certain mindset, skill and work ethic to thrive.

That cafe is supposed to be a convenience for the bailiffs, the deputies, the Judges, attorneys, jurors and many others stuck in that windowless, miserable building with poor ventilation with very little or no time for lunch.

After a year and a half, people have made other choices. Rohrs inedible and overpriced food is not an option many have to suffer anymore.

The County should save the money for repairs and put in vending machines by the first door. Section off most of the cafe and use it as overflow for six juror panel waiting to go down to the second floor.

That is more effective physical distancing than the jurors having to travel from the ground floor in the smelly, stuffy elevators that constantly break down.