The local owners of Uhrichsville Papa John’s franchise came to the latest council meeting, expressing concerns over what they called “harassment” from a city employee.
According to Jesse and Lenay Krantz, it started when the unnamed administrative employee ordered a pizza on August 15th and said, in provided documents, that the “pepperoni smelled rancid or spoiled plus the crust was burnt. I also called the health department to go check them out.” The business refunded the full amount of $24.99.
“They were less than thrilled with the product, which occasionally happens that happens with any business. It’s came to light over the past 30 days that particular person is using their position with the city to come after us for certain things. I just wanted to bring it to your attention because we’re both tired of it. At this point it feels like harassment.”
A report from the county health department, dated September 12th, concluded that “upon inspection, proper equipment holding temperatures, food temperatures, and chemical storage were observed and in compliance.”
The next thing to follow, says Jesse Krantz, is letters with the city’s letter head, addressed to Papa John’s Pizza, citing things like bird droppings on the dumpster and it being open, as well as, a lack of landscaping.
“I’m not denying that there might be some issues with the property that need addressed, but the letters specifically do not address any codes to be enforced. I feel like, for the past three years that my wife and I have owned Papa John’s here we’ve done well, respected the community, tried to help the community providing food to schools, the Water Park, things like that.”
Also, the Krantz’s are getting calls from some of their vendors.
“Actually, received a phone call from our trash company, today, saying that an anonymous person from the city called and said that we need to get a larger dumpster. I mean, I don’t know why anyone would be calling Kimble’s anonymously from the city. I don’t really feel like that’s the right thing to be done.”
The mayor said he wanted to talk with the law director about the situation, with Jeff Merklin expressing he was also interested in seeing documents the Krantz’s provided to council that included the refund receipt, health department inspection, the letters, and attached pictures.
Copyright WTUZ Radio Inc., 2024