Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

What’s Behind California’s Frozen Housing Market?

3 hours ago

Oil Prices Rise on Trade War Relief, US Pressure on Russia

4 hours ago

Marjorie Taylor Greene Is First Republican Lawmaker to Call Gaza Crisis a ‘Genocide’

6 hours ago

Trump’s EPA to Repeal Core of Greenhouse Gas Rules in Major Deregulatory Move

7 hours ago

US Approval of Israel’s Gaza Offensive Drops to 32%, Poll Shows

8 hours ago

Shooter in New York Skyscraper Left Note Blaming NFL for Brain Injury, Mayor Says

9 hours ago

Trump Eyes Aug 1 Trade Deals as EU, China Talks Continue, US Commerce Chief Says

9 hours ago

Trump Says Many Are Starving in Gaza, Vows to Set up Food Centers

1 day ago
City Warns of 'Criminal Prosecution' for Defying COVID Orders. Restaurant Owner Faults Mayor.
David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 5 years ago on
May 8, 2020

Share

Dave Fansler hoped to reopen Pismo’s Coastal Grill on Thursday.

While the popular seafood restaurant wouldn’t be packed — Fansler said seating would be restricted to 38% in the name of physical distancing — it would help the restaurateur get his business reopened.

Fansler scrapped those plans when he received a notice from the city of Fresno.

Warned of Penalties for Violating Emergency Orders

I’ve had the city attorney’s office threaten to fine me and put me in jail. I had the governor saying that he’s going to attack my liquor license and take that from me. I’ve had the city tell me they’re going to take my business license away,” Fansler said.

The threat from the state wasn’t direct, Fansler clarified. The state agency regulating liquor licenses says reopening is a violation of the stay-at-home order, and revocation is a potential consequence.

Fansler said Pismo’s was “written up” when a bartender served a customer a drink waiting for a take-out order.

Cease operations immediately, or you will be subject to criminal prosecution, revocation of your business license and/or conditional use permit, fines, and other legal action.” — excerpt from city of Fresno warning letter

“It is just ridiculous. There was like three customers in the building and it was just very heavy-handed. Basically the letter said, we’re gonna fine you and or put you in jail,” Fansler recalled.

The city denied Fansler’s accusations.

“The city of Fresno has never threatened Dave Fansler or any other business owner with arrest. We would close the business long before we would arrest them. We have talked to a number of restaurants and asked them to follow our guidelines and all complied with one exception, Dog House Grill, who was fined $250,” city spokesman Mark Standriff said.

Fansler provided a letter sent from Fresno City Attorney Douglas Sloan on March 30, saying the city received complaints Pismo’s was still operating.

“Cease operations immediately, or you will be subject to criminal prosecution, revocation of your business license and/or conditional use permit, fines, and other legal action,” Sloan said.

A copy of the letter the city sent Pismo’s Coastal Grill (Image: special to GV Wire)

Restaurants Still Limited to Take-Out Service Only

“It’s an unbelievable high bar to meet. That almost makes it impossible.” — restaurant owner Dave Fansler

Despite the easing of restrictions on retail businesses, state and city regulations do not currently permit dine-in service by restaurants. Phase 2 of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s “Resiliency Roadmap,” went into effect today, allowing previously closed retail stores to reopen for curbside pickup only. Dine-in restaurant service is identified in Newsom’s plan as occurring later in Phase 2.

The city’s rules, however, will allow many retail businesses to reopen to customer foot traffic on Monday, with social distancing restrictions. Those allowances exceed the state’s published guidelines.

Restaurant owner Dave Fansler (left) criticized government responses to the coronavirus pandemic. “The city and the state are completely mismanaging this crisis and are completely inept, with no concern or tradeoff of how to fight the country’s crisis and how to not completely decimate people’s lives by shutting off their business income,” Fansler said.

Newsom has outlined a path for individual counties to move deeper into Stage 2 at a faster pace by meeting COVID-19 readiness and containment thresholds.

Among the requirements: A county must record no deaths linked to the coronavirus and no more than one confirmed COVID-19 case for every 10,000 residents for 14 consecutive days. Counties also must have the capacity to perform 1.5 tests a day per 1,000 residents. In Fresno County, with a population just under 1 million, that would equal about 1,500 daily tests.

A county also must have enough shelters for at least 15% of its homeless population and at least 15 contact tracers per 100,000 residents (equal to a minimum of 150 in Fresno County) to track down suspected coronavirus cases.

“It’s an unbelievable high bar to meet. That almost makes it impossible,” Fansler said.

Fresno County has also issued guidelines for businesses to follow when they reopen, recommending six-foot distancing and ongoing sanitizing practices.

Fansler Says COVID-19 Crisis Mismanaged

“The city and the state are completely mismanaging this crisis and are completely inept, with no concern or tradeoff of how to fight the country’s crisis and how to not completely decimate people’s lives by shutting off their business income,” Fansler said. “Who are they to decide what’s essential and non-essential?”

Fansler, who appeared at a protest rally at City Hall on Wednesday, criticized Fresno Mayor Lee Brand.

“The mayor deflects everything. He doesn’t take a stand and fight for the city. The reason why he was hired was to fight for his city. He’s weak. He doesn’t fight. He just caves on every issue.”Dave Fansler

The mayor deflects everything. He doesn’t take a stand and fight for the city. The reason why he was hired was to fight for his city. He’s weak. He doesn’t fight. He just caves on every issue,” Fansler said.

Others are expressing frustration with Brand as well.

A radio ad, sponsored by an entity identified as “Common Sense Information, began airing on local stations Friday.

In the one-minute spot, an actor portraying a businessman economically affected by the coronavirus, asks Brand to open all business.

“Why won’t you give us the chance to innovate again?” the actor asks. “Instead, we have new rules that are not only cumbersome. They are unfair.”

At the end of the ad, listeners are urged to call Brand’s office.

Losing $400,000 a Week in Business

In addition to Pismo’s, Fansler operates Westwoods BBQ & Spice Co, and Yosemite Ranch. Business is down 75%, Fansler said.

“Sales are down over $400,000 a week. So I’ve already lost $2.4 million,” Fansler said.

As a result, he’s laid off 270 employees.

Another Fresno restaurant, The Waffle House, opened its doors Thursday in defiance of state and city orders.

“I don’t blame them. But, they don’t have an ABC (liquor) license at risk,” Fansler said. “People’s lives are getting destroyed. For what?”

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

New York Gunman Was Flagged by Security Camera System Before Attack, Sources Say

DON'T MISS

As Trump Cuts Education, Candidates Line Up for California’s Top Schools Job

DON'T MISS

US House Panel Rejects Immunity Request by Epstein Associate Maxwell

DON'T MISS

Fresno’s Vacant Property Ordinance Punishes the Wrong People: Rassamni

DON'T MISS

Trump Approval Rating Sinks to 40%, the Lowest of His Term, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

DON'T MISS

What’s Behind California’s Frozen Housing Market?

DON'T MISS

Tulare County Authorities Find Body in Sequoia National Park

DON'T MISS

Oil Prices Rise on Trade War Relief, US Pressure on Russia

DON'T MISS

Scottie Scheffler vs. Everybody: Open Champion Makes His Case Among the Greats

DON'T MISS

Trump Says Wall Street Journal, Murdoch Want to Settle Defamation Lawsuit

UP NEXT

Tulare County Authorities Find Body in Sequoia National Park

UP NEXT

Fresno Unified Will Pay Nikki Henry $162K Without Board’s Public Vote

UP NEXT

Marjorie Taylor Greene Is First Republican Lawmaker to Call Gaza Crisis a ‘Genocide’

UP NEXT

Homicide Suspect Arrested in Texas for 2023 Fresno Killing

UP NEXT

New Gallup Poll Reveals Most Immoral Behaviors In America

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Mia Regina Esquivel

UP NEXT

Two Arrested in Dollar General Burglary in Fowler, Third Suspect at Large

UP NEXT

Fresno County Repeat DUI Offender Sentenced to 15 Years to Life for Deadly Crash

UP NEXT

Fresno Seals Deal with Police Union. No Deal Yet With Firefighters.

UP NEXT

Fresno Home Suffers Major Damage in Saturday Night Fire, Family Cat Rescued

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Fresno’s Vacant Property Ordinance Punishes the Wrong People: Rassamni

2 hours ago

Trump Approval Rating Sinks to 40%, the Lowest of His Term, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

3 hours ago

What’s Behind California’s Frozen Housing Market?

3 hours ago

Tulare County Authorities Find Body in Sequoia National Park

4 hours ago

Oil Prices Rise on Trade War Relief, US Pressure on Russia

4 hours ago

Scottie Scheffler vs. Everybody: Open Champion Makes His Case Among the Greats

5 hours ago

Trump Says Wall Street Journal, Murdoch Want to Settle Defamation Lawsuit

5 hours ago

New York Officer Killed in Manhattan Shooting Remembered as Hero in Bangladesh, US

5 hours ago

More Than 100 NFL Players and Club Employees Face Fines for Selling Super Bowl Tickets

5 hours ago

US States Sue Over Trump Demands for Data on Food Stamp Recipients

5 hours ago

New York Gunman Was Flagged by Security Camera System Before Attack, Sources Say

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK — Cameras at 345 Park Avenue flagged an approaching gunman on Monday as a potential threat that required immediate atten...

32 minutes ago

A man holding a rifle walks into an office building at 345 Park Avenue shortly before a shooting that killed several people, in the Midtown Manhattan district of New York City, U.S. July 28, 2025, in a still image taken from surveillance video. Surveillance Camera/Handout via REUTERS
32 minutes ago

New York Gunman Was Flagged by Security Camera System Before Attack, Sources Say

Teacher Uses Globe While Instructing Her Students
2 hours ago

As Trump Cuts Education, Candidates Line Up for California’s Top Schools Job

Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell stands at the podium to address Judge Alison Nathan during her sentencing in a courtroom sketch in New York City, U.S. June 28, 2022. (Reuters File)
2 hours ago

US House Panel Rejects Immunity Request by Epstein Associate Maxwell

2 hours ago

Fresno’s Vacant Property Ordinance Punishes the Wrong People: Rassamni

President Donald Trump speaks at a dinner with Republican Senators, in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 18, 2025. (Reuters File)
3 hours ago

Trump Approval Rating Sinks to 40%, the Lowest of His Term, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

Home in Fresno, California's Tower District
3 hours ago

What’s Behind California’s Frozen Housing Market?

The body of a woman swept into the Kaweah River in May was recovered last week by Tulare County authorities and the National Park Service. (Tulare County SO)
4 hours ago

Tulare County Authorities Find Body in Sequoia National Park

The sun is seen behind a crude oil pump jack in the Permian Basin in Loving County, Texas, U.S., November 22, 2019. (REUTERS/Angus Mordant/File Photo)
4 hours ago

Oil Prices Rise on Trade War Relief, US Pressure on Russia

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend