Common sense needed to reopen Cornell businesses

Certain businesses in Wisconsin, have been allowed to reopen as part of the Badger Bounce Back plan instituted by Gov. Tony Evers, but bars, restaurants and hair salons are still among those forbidden from opening, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the Safer at Home order in effect until May 26 (unless superseded), some businesses have no idea when they can reopen their doors.

Despite the order, the City of Rice Lake recently passed a resolution, allowing businesses to operate as safely as possible, as the city is an area that has a low impact from COVID- 19. During a regular meeting May 7, the Cornell City Council discussed if something similar would be appropriate for Cornell.

Mayor Mark Larson asked council members their feelings on the matter of possibly introducing a resolution to reopen the businesses in Cornell.

“I think that what business we have left, we should get open, instead of discriminating against these other people,” said council member Terry Smith, who added he can’t see why a hardware store is open, but a beauty parlor is not.

Currently, retail stores are allowed to open, with a limit of five customers in the store at a time, practicing social distancing. However, places such as hair/nail salons and bars

See REOPENING CORNELL BUSINESSES/ Page 8 are not allowed to open.

“I think it is also up to us to be concerned about our businesses in town and not just say, ‘Well, the county says we can’t do anything, the state says we can’t do anything,’” said council president Steve Turany. “There are other communities already, who are speaking up.”

Turany says he thought a resolution is something the council should look at, to see if it makes sense and works for Cornell, as he wants to help the city’s businesses.

“Everyone is hurting, it’s not just the businesses,” said council member Ashley Carothers, who agreed she wants to do something to help Cornell’s businesses.

She said she can see why only certain businesses are open, as people may spend 15 minutes to look for a hammer at a retail store, then leave. That’s not the case at a bar or hair salon.

“They are there for hours at a time,” said Carothers. “There’s a significant difference.”

Carothers said the council “has the businesses’ backs,” but she also said as someone who has lost people to the virus, she is on the fence about reopening before the danger is past.

“Although I agree we need to be doing something for our businesses – I don’t know what – I see both sides,” she said.

Council member Aimee Korger says she can see Carothers’ reasoning, that the “lingering” factor is a health concern.

“Most of our businesses have been able to continue with the curbside delivery and stuff, other than the bars,” said Korger.

Bill Kvapil, council member, said as a business owner of one of the town’s bars, he still has to make payments with no revenue coming in.

“I can feel it in my pocketbook,” he said. “It’s tough.”

Kvapil says he respects what Carothers said about spreading sickness, but that he is willing to try to open the city.

“If these businesses don’t open, we’re going to be in a world of hurt here in this city,” said Kvapil.

Council member Floyd Hickethier said the council needs to do something to help the businesses reopen, but added he is skeptical. Carothers questioned how businesses would realistically keep people social distanced at six feet apart.

“We gotta get some common sense going here,” said council member Terry Smith. “What if the flu comes again? Are we going to shut the whole state down again?”

Cornell Police Chief Brian Hurt said there are two active COVID-19 cases in the city that are being monitored, along with 27 cases throughout Chippewa County.

“It is a fine line on what should be done here,” said Hurt, who says he sympathizes with businesses. “The resolution is just that. You put law enforcement in a very precarious situation by having the resolution, because a new resolution comes up and everybody thinks it’s the new law. It’s got to be known, it’s not a law.”

Hurt says he has already observed a mild infraction of social distancing at a Cornell business, where the customers were more at fault, but the business did not stop what was happening. Hurt said law enforcement needs to follow state mandates.

“You tell us not to do that...we still got to follow state law, no matter what the resolution says,” said Hurt. “I’m bound by that. You’re not an island here, you’re part of a system, and we’ve got to look at that and take that into big consideration.”

Turany says he wants Hurt and his officers to use discretion.

“We have taken absolutely zero enforcement on anyone,” said Hurt. “People are trying and that’s all we can ask for.”

City administrator Dave DeJongh said the council needs to consider who will draft a resolution or if they would just substitute Rice Lake’s name for theirs. DeJongh says it’s good to expect people to use common sense, but questioned what happens if state orders are abused.

“If the resolution basically tells everyone to do their own thing, then I can see where it’ll put them (law enforcement) in a heck of a position,” he said.

“This lockdown is quarantining healthy people,” said Turany, who admitted that it makes sense for those with underlying health problems to stay home when possible. “We aren’t witnessing people dropping over like flies.”

As part of Rice Lake’s resolution, it’s suggested that businesses who choose to open, review their options with their insurance carrier, business consultant and any governing license oversight organizations, for potential legal or financial liability.

Reopening city businesses was sent to Public Health and Safety, so more opinions can be heard and a decision made. Depending on a Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling on if the Safer at Home will stand until May 26, a resolution for Cornell could be a moot point.

“As for this right now, I think time is of the essence,” said Turany “…It does not force businesses to open if they don’t want to…it’s basically saying, we trust your judgment.”

Steve Turany, Cornell City Council president, makes his case to reopen businesses that closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The matter was discussed at a regular meeting May 7, with the issue sent to Public Health and Safety for a decision on whether to allow reopening or not.Photo by Ginna Young