These tables may remain empty or even go away if rules are not waived for the owners of Jake’s Place, a cafe on Leitchfield’s public square.
“Within 45 minutes of setting the tables and umbrellas up I received a phone call saying I was violating a city ordinance and I had to take them down,” said Jakes Place owner Jeanie Embry.
The ordnance that Embry spoke of states, “No person shall encumber any street or sidewalk, no owner occupant or person having the care of any building or lot of land bordering on any street or sidewalk shall permit it to be encumbered with barrels, boxes, cans, articles or substances of any kind so as to interfere with the free and unobstructed use there of.”
Simply put, the colorful umbrellas and tables might obstruct the free use of the sidewalk outside the café.
So Embry was instructed by city police officer Don Burkhead to remove the tables.
Before erecting the tables, Embry spoke to the law office next door and got permission to set the tables out during the hours her restaurant is open.
She even cleaned up any garbage that littered the sidewalk before setting up the two tables and chairs for her customer’s comfort.
“I just thought it would be nice for customers to sit outside and enjoy a cup of coffee or lunch,” said Embry. “Everyone likes to see a happy, cheery place and that is why I spent the money putting the tables up.”
Shortly after the phone call from the city police, Embry made a few calls herself and was granted a reprieve from removing the tables.
“I spoke to one of the city councilmen and he spoke to someone and I can leave my tables up for one week,” said Embry. “The next city council meeting is Monday. I have to ask their permission to put the tables up and take them down everyday. “
The Grayson County Industrial Consultant Dudley Cooper was impressed with the small tables. The umbrella issue has raised a few eyebrows with councilmen and customers.
“They were the first thing I noticed when I came around the square this morning,” said Cooper. “This little square has so much potential. It is just a great old square.”
Cooper has been trying to get the attention of some individuals in Frankfort to help beautify the square.
“One person can make one phone call and ruin a good thing for everyone,” said Jake’s Place customer Scott Layman. “It just seems like a shame that things work that way.”
The issue of allowing the tables and umbrellas on the sidewalk in the square will be addressed at the city council meeting, Monday, May 4 at 6 p.m. at city hall.
KSS wrote; (If some people would keep there noses in there own problem we would live so much easier here in our little town) and I ( MotherNaturesRage write ) between May 1st and May 4th a combination of thoughts about the ( town square dilema of the Cocoa Cola umbrellas and table).Anyone that is not in the little clich in town that tries to make a differences ( someone comes up with an ordiance or a gripe about it)!!!!
We could not have our TEN COMMANDMENTS in that ole historical court house ( because of two)what was that acutally hurting ( afraid that someone would realize that there is a higher power. And now it is costing to stand the ground for what is right. AND THE TEN COMMANDMENTS are RIGHT they are our history and our heritage!!!!! I WANT MY HERITAGE, I WANT MY HISTORY, I WANT MY RIGHTS TOO!!!!.
The crossing guard on Wallace that went all out on his own for training to keep OUR school children safe ( parents ever hear the old saying it takes a community to raise a child) (everyone looking out for the best interest of our children) it is all of our place to do so. And then comes the home town cafe on the square with a little down home cookiing and down home (HOSPTIALITY) and wants old friends to drop in and also have the inviting homey look that makes a new faces want to come in and then return as not a new face but a friend. I like the old timey look that the tables and umbrellas bring to the square ( YES A FRIENDLY COME ON IN LOOK)
I know a place that has a sign at it's city limits sign reads (give population and then says Hartford home happy people and a few soreheads) Well guess this town may want to put up such signs as ( Leitchfield home of a few happy people and a lot of soreheads)
Except for those that go to Jake's Place anyone going there would have to leave with a happy feeling especially if they can dine at the tables outside.
Fight for the rights of the home town homey look
Way to go Jake's Place you have my vote to keep the umbrella's and tables with chairs of course and I am going to drop in and try the coffee.
To all posters of comments here keep them coming in and hey I liked what you had to say.
very inviting place for customers to eat and relax outside, we need more spots like this in Leitchfield and Grayson Co. The umbrellas and tables aren't obstructing the sidewalk, take a look at other city squares, they have tables/chairs/umbrellas! Change is in a good thing!
And that is cheery looking ws my first thoughts when I saw them. I just may drop by for a cup of coffee I believe I would like setting there. That is if I survived the rest of this school year.
Since the crossing guard is no long on Wallace ( it is scary over there to try and pick up your kids. ) It was even scarer today being early release day ( no crossing guard --no police--traffic going crazy and I was wanting to scream where is that guard at you no the one that was free and always there?
Hey city council it's your town too.
Else the square will be just another place to license your vehicles. Bernard Logsdon Jr. Aberdeen Ohio.