SURVEY: SMALL-BUSINESS OWNERS WANT MASK MANDATES, SAY NATIONAL REOPENING PLAN WILL HELP SURVIVAL ODDS AMID COVID-19
COLLIER COUNTY MANDATES FACE MASKS IN BUSINESSES, INDOOR PUBLIC PLACES
Masks now must be worn in Collier County businesses and indoor public spaces in an effort to control the coronavirus pandemic. Although the measure narrowly failed a week ago, county commissioners revisited the mandate at an emergency meeting Tuesday and voted 3-2 for its passage. Business owners must require face coverings in business establishments or face fines. First violations will receive a warning, but then graduated fines for subsequent violations will be assessed with fines not to exceed $500. Exceptions to the mandate include businesses such as restaurants, gyms, fitness centers, barbershops and beauty salons where wearing a mask could interfere with service. Masks also are exempt for church congregations and children 9 and under. The mandate expires on midnight Sept. 3 unless the order is otherwise extended by commissioners. Another 3-2 vote permits county staff to spend up to $25,000 to educate and assist businesses in compliance with the mandate. The three of the four commissioners on the dais Tuesday who wore masks – Burt Saunders, Andy Solis and Penny Taylor – voted for the mandate. Voting no were Commissioner Bill McDaniel, who did not wear a mask, and Commissioner Donna Fiala, who monitored the meeting remotely via telephone. “Wearing a mask is an inconvenience, but in the long run will potentially slow the spread and allow us to grow our economy,” Saunders says. McDaniel argued for personal choice and tolerance to wear or not wear a mask. “This mandate is nothing but a feel-good touch. It’s proposing restrictions on law-abiding citizens,” he says.
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CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST FLORIDA ON BEHALF OF BAR OWNERS
The law offices of Travis R. Walker P.A. announced Monday the filing of a class-action lawsuit against the state of Florida on behalf of bar owners statewide closed because of the state’s COVID-19 emergency order, WINK News reports. “We believe the shutdown is arbitrary and singles out bar owners in a discriminatory fashion,” Travis Walker said in a news release. “We have filed suit against the Department of Business and Professional Regulation as this order selectively culls out bar owners and is not related to the government’s purpose. Several bars have attained our pro bono services and we anticipate more to join.”
RIGHT TURN CAFE NOW COOKING AT SANCTUARY RV RESORT IN BONITA SPRINGS
Michelle and Stephen Dubrey were married March 1 and turned around and opened Right Turn Cafe two days later in Bonita Springs. Since then, of course, they have struggled with everyone else during the pandemic, but the Right Turn stepped up with good turns by donating pizzas and Easter meals to the Bonita Springs Fire Department and gloves and gallons of hand sanitizer to the Lee Health Foundation, the Dubreys said. The couple added pizza ovens and a new coffee roaster to the former spaces of the Coffee Snob and Hidden Paradise Cafe at Sanctuary RV Resort on the north side of Bonita Beach Road between Interstate 75 and Logan Boulevard. “We roast our own fresh-roasted coffee,” Stephen Dubrey says. “All of our food is made from scratch. Huge portions.” House-made breakfast items include egg sandwiches, breakfast burritos, blueberry muffins and apple fritters. In addition to hand-tossed pizzas every day, daily chalkboard specials for lunch and dinner have included beef tacos, fish and chips and pulled pork sandwiches. Right Turn Cafe, 13660 Bonita Beach Road, is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. For more information call 239-478-1871.
INSURANCE MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY GROUP FORMS
Insurance Management Consultancy Group (IMCG) announced the official opening of its doors in July. The newly formed commercial and personal insurance consultancy group consists of more than 50 years of combined experience in the insurance industry. The leadership team includes Christopher Tritt, president and co-founder, who will specialize in loss-sensitive workers’ compensation, captive solutions, product recall and food contamination solutions; Todd Speas, executive vice president and co-founder, who will specialize in workers’ compensation and captive solutions; and Anna Evans, vice president, claims, who is an all-lines insurance adjuster licensed in Florida and certified in workers’ compensation and human resources. IMCG is a concierge claims management service. For more information, visit imccccm.com.
MOORINGS PARK TO HOST VIRTUAL TOUR
Moorings Park in Naples is hosting a webinar that will take prospective buyers on a virtual tour through the community. Several residences will be showcased virtually as well as information on the community’s lifestyle, its social and wellness programs, casual and fine dining venues and the concierge physicians and personalized healthcare services that are included with residency. The webinar will be hosted at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday. To participate, sign up at mooringspark.org/webinar.
