Beaver State News

Baker City business owners are decrying COVID-19 restrictions, suggesting that they should be able to establish and impose their own safety protocols.

Through a written letter, Shannon and Whitney Black, who own a fuel distribution business, appealed to Baker City Mayor Kerry McQuisten, noting that the current measures are hurting their business.

The Blacks propose a “Common Sense Sanctuary” for city businesses, the Baker City Herald reported. The couple explained to the mayor that “business owners would then be free to devise individualized safety measures for employees and customers and confidently open their businesses. Each business would be free to determine the most effective way to keep their unique customer population happy, healthy, stress-free, and contributing to our local economy.” 

They further told the mayor that “trying to operate under a one-size-fits-all policy meant for a large city has cultivated nothing but instability, fear and distrust, and has not been effective in keeping us mentally and physically healthy. Closed businesses, lost jobs, lost dollars and mental distress are taking a toll on Baker City and have strapped us in a stagnant mess.”

The letter, according to Whitney Black, was meant to initiate a discussion at City Hall and at the community level that would determine the effects of the pandemic on the city’s residents and businesses, and uncover possible avenues that could help reduce its impact.

McQuisten said she has received similar letters from other businesses and that this concern will be included in a future City Council meeting.