Cornell City Council - How far does being neighborly extend?

Linda Flater, owner of Dylan’s Dairy, brought some concerns to the Cornell City Council June 20, over some issues going on with her business and the one next door. Flater says she tries to get along with others, but is not going to back down. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

It appeared the June 20, Cornell City Council meeting would be nothing more than paying the bills, but business owner Linda Flater changed all that during the public comments portion. Flater, the owner of Dylan’s Dairy, aired a few grievances, even though she stated that wasn’t something she wanted to do.

“It’s not personal, it’s my business,” she said. For one thing, Flater does not like the 15-minute parking sign that was installed in front of her establishment, as she requested a handicapped parking sign from the city and was denied that, in favor of the limited term parking. According to Flater, the space has become a running joke to the establishment next door, but worse, the owners and their help park in that space, even though Dylan’s services many handicapped customers.

“That might seem insignificant to everybody else, but I think that’s extremely disrespectful to my business,” said Flater.

The next door business also requested Flater to allow access out to the patio that is owned by Dylan’s and to use her dumpster for a short time, when they were getting going, so she was happy to oblige, despite warnings from others.

“I wanted to get along,” said Flater. She also does not want the other business’ side door open, for their patrons to stare at her customers who sit on the patio, nor does she appreciate the other establishment’s customers eating food ordered from them on Dylan’s patio.

“I don’t have time to be playing this game,” said Flater, who is the lone cook at Dylan’s.

Flater freely admits that Dylan’s does serve alcohol, but does not encourage people to sit there for multiple hours, ordering drinks, since they serve a lot of church goers and families. The breaking point came when the establishment owners asked if they could leave the door to the patio open and after Flater thought it over, she told them no.

Since that time, Flater says she has been verbally accosted, which she does not feel is right, as she pays her taxes and keeps current with her bills.

“I employ a lot of the people in this town,” she added.

However, Flater was told to take her string of lights that was plugged into the other business’ air conditioner off the building, which was done within 30 minutes.

Flater felt to leave them any longer would be unconscionable.

“That’s respect, to me,” she said.

The other business has put signs on the door to the patio, that there is to be no alcohol beyond that point and Flater was told she can leave lights on the building, but that did not make up for her treatment, so Flater was told by the city’s fire chief to document each complaint.

After that, Flater said the patio door had been completely removed and the screen is gone.

“Now, we have a gaping hole in their wall,” she said.

“They made an in-swing out of it,” said Bruce Johnson, Flater’s landlord.

According to Flater, the fire marshal agrees that is not acceptable and for her, it’s unsanitary, as it lets in flies and the two business can see every single thing happening in each building.

“It’s the weirdest thing I’ve ever felt,” said Flater, who says she will not rest until she receives satisfaction. “That door is either going to be closed or something.”

Bill Kvapil, council member and business owner, agrees the inwardly swinging door is a violation, as it has to swing out, in case of fire. Flater says it is not an official exit door, but still feels putting a door in that spot was unwise.

Council president Steve Turany mentioned that when the establishment was Turk’s, he rented that adjoining lot from Johnson and the patio was utilized, prior to a new business coming in, which is now Dylan’s.

“It all worked well,” said Johnson.

Floyd Hickethier told Flater that the council may have been unaware of any issues before, but that she opened their eyes, while mayor Mark Larson said he’s certain that if there’s a violation of fire codes, something will be done.

Turany, on the other hand, felt a breaking point of his own.

“I just find it amazing that no businesses can get along in this town,” he said. “It drives me nuts.”

Flater said she tries to get along with everyone, but when it comes to her establishment, she’s not backing down.

“I love what I do,” said Flater. “It’s my business and I’m not giving up. I’m not just going to sit there and just get dirt kicked on me either, and that’s kind of how it’s feeling.”

She also asked why she was not consulted about the upcoming street dances, which block off parking from her business. The council had previously agreed that organizers needed to talk it over with her first about parking.

Johnson suggested that the city ask the street dance organizers to place the barricades past Dylan’s door, at least, to allow access during those times.

“I think that would be a nice gesture,” said Johnson.

Flater is all on board if the dance is a community event, but doesn’t like private events taking up business parking, while council member/business owner Sandy Schecklman doesn’t like that the July 3 dance seems to benefit only certain Main Street businesses.

When put on by an organization, such as the Cornell Area ATV Riders in past years, it’s used as a way to give back.

“It loses its community feeling, when just a bar itself is putting it on,” said Schecklman.

Wayne Gerberding, Flater’s life partner, also had some input to share, about the fading mural on the west side of the old community center. The building is now privately owned, but Gerberding thought perhaps the owner could be approached about a spruce up of the mural.

The council agreed it should be discussed further.

“It’d brighten up this town,” said Gerberding.

Members also agreed to change the next meeting to Monday, July 1, at 7 p.m., because of the Independence Day holiday.