The BBQ Saga Continues
Posted by Jeff Pruitt - 8/5/08 @ 12:25 am - Filed Under Featured, Local Politics
First we had the JG story suggesting the county commissioners had agreed to limit new permits for BBQ restaurants that wanted to cook outdoors. Then we had commissioner Nelson Peters saying that was inaccurate. Then Sunday we had Frank Gray’s column in the JG once again suggesting the commissioners were doing away with new outdoor BBQ permits.
Yet today Peters told me that the commissioners did discuss possible changes with the Board of Health but the only thing they agreed to was a change in fees. Also, he said new restaurants are still free to apply for a permit. There’s obviously a major disconnect between the JG reporting and the commissioners office.
Gray’s column also referred to a letter from the State in response to the Board of Health’s questions about outdoor cooking permits. I’ve obtained a copy of that letter and you can judge for yourself but there doesn’t appear to be anything in there that would prohibit such cooking. Here’s the pertinent sentence:
An “open” or “outdoor” cooking operation can be considered as long as all risks have been evaluated and addressed to ensure the final food product produced is safe and wholesome for consumers.
I think what we have here is an overzealous Board of Health pushing unnecessary and unwanted regulations. The commissioners should tell the Board in Health in no uncertain terms that BBQ restaurants are welcome here and they will not be harassed by government employees.
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One Response to “The BBQ Saga Continues”
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It’s all about money. Does the Board of Health really care about cooking & BBQing, no they do not. It’s all about control & money.
Stream-line the over-zealous Allen County Commissioner’s Board & the Board of Health in Allen County. Let’s focus on real issues.
We are looking for leadership!