Joseph S. Kimray: Outside curfew hurting downtown business

As a fellow small businessman, I am appalled at the loss of revenue that is being reported by the downtown establishments affected by the recent patio ordinance.

Business owners have suggested that instead of coming inside when the nightly ordinance goes into effect, many customers are leaving. Other businesses that did not have room capacity inside at that time were forced to send customers away.

One business reported a significant decrease in sales since the new ordinance went into effect. That business will now have to potentially release four employees due to this dramatic decrease in sales. Unfortunately, the jobs that will be eliminated will be taken away from hardworking students and younger people who are simply trying to make a living for themselves in an honorable way.

Mayor Nancy McFarlane and Councilors Kay Crowder, Wayne Maiorano, John Odom and Russ Stephenson have proven that they would rather partner with a single businessman rather than listen to the majority of their constituents. Hopefully they understand what they have done and are prepared to deal with the results on Election Day. Those that favored #SaveThePatios will not go unheard that day.

This story was originally published September 8, 2015 at 5:05 PM with the headline "Joseph S. Kimray: Outside curfew hurting downtown business."