Bruce Marshall died Monday. He was 49 – my age.
I’m one of those people that read the obits and to some it may seem morbid. However at my age you wonder how many people your age are on their way to the next stage in life, and of course you wonder why.
From today’s Journal Gazette
Marshall had cooked most of his life, specializing in ribs cooked on outdoor grills.He had cooked that way for months at a time for other restaurants, and he had followed the same practice for nearly a year after opening Chuckwagon in 2006.
But then, earlier this year, health officials came crashing down on him, citing a law that said restaurants can’t cook outside more than 10 days a month. If you run a transient business, traveling from one location to another, you can cook outside 365 days a year. But businesses that are at a fixed location can’t do that.
It didn’t make sense to his customers, and it didn’t make sense to Marshall. Rib restaurants in other cities are permitted to cook outside, 24/7, as they say.
But not here.
Marshall resisted, but eventually, under pressure from first the health department and later other departments, he had to cave. His restaurant turned into a part-time establishment, cooking two to three days a week.
That took its toll. Customers weren’t sure when he would be open. He lost employees who needed full-time work.
The restaurant wasn’t making money. Marshall became depressed. His health suffered. He had diabetes and problems with his blood pressure. His blood pressure shot up. But he swore he wouldn’t throw in the towel.
He never did.
First City Council forces businesses to create non-smoking areas at their own expense. Some businesses spent over $100,000 to enclose smoking areas and install separate ventilation systems. Five years later city council changes their mind and bans smoking altogether without regard for small business. The hell with their city-forced investments in enclosures and ventilation systems; it’s our way or the highway. More ordinances, more money on petty enforcement. In a nutshell, this city has gone ordinance crazy.
“He was having problems with his blood pressure,†Harris-Stevenson said. “He just gave up. It got to the point where he didn’t care. His business was failing. Money wasn’t coming in.â€
Late last week he received a letter from the county. He hadn’t renewed his restaurant license, and the letter threatened to shut him down.
[...]
On Saturday, family members said he didn’t look good and offered to take him to the hospital. He said no, he’d take care of it. He had a doctor’s appointment Monday.
But he didn’t make it to the doctor’s appointment. Instead, Monday afternoon, an employee took him to the hospital. On the way, family members say, his business was all he talked about – the lack of income and that it was failing.
We’ve lost an entrepreneur that was trying to create an income for his family doing what he loved. He created jobs as well. It could be said that he succumbed to the pressures caused by idiotic laws enforced by the Board of Health. What exactly is the logic in preventing businesses with fixed locations from grilling outside, while others are still allowed to do so?
I doubt a involuntary manslaughter suit against the City of Fort Wayne, City Council, and Health Department is in the making. Once the Marshall family has lived through the pain and suffering over the loss of Bruce, I’m sure they will move on to the next stage in life. I’m also certain they will live with contempt for this city for the rest of their lives.
The City of Fort Wayne killed his business, and he lost his life in the process.
We can do so much better.
Peace Bruce – DT
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Truly a sad day for Fort Wayne!
Dan,
A touching memorial and sad commentary on Fort Wayne’s hostility to local business.
Dave
I have no doubt. I am sure most of the people sucking tax dollars into their own pockets had no clue as to who this fellow was. He was just one more taxpayer and there will be more to replace him, well maybe.
I hope the people that decided to make his life a business hell are happy. They can say they “where doing their jobs”, they where “protecting the people”, and “following the law!” But they help helped end his life way to soon.
To the City Council members who drive by his place of business would you please slow down and say a little prayer for this man.
All of you elected officials who campigned on cutting red tape for small business take a few seconds and think how bad you failed.
Bruce Marshall could have fallen ill a week from now, or month, or a year from now with the same results. You just sped the process up.
If the next time you speak of cutting red tape or helping the little business guy please do not be offended when I raise my middle finger in salute to your statement.
J.Q.
Dan,
I whole heartily agree with your sentiment here and I posted similar thoughts over at FWL. The health department contributed to the loss of this business and likely to the loss of Mr Marshall’s life. They should never be allowed to forget this.
I also feel we, as bloggers, let Mr Marshall down. We rant and rave about various topics and try to make a difference but in this case we didn’t do enough…
What IS needed is for some person (or persons), especially in the black community with the entrepeneurial skills to step up to the task at hand, take over Bruce’s business, and get it all up and going again.
Something like that would accomplish SO much in so many areas.
Sadly, I don’t think this will happen.
B.G.
Why does it take death to get people’s attention. The City and the Health Department and the City Council should be ashamed they aren’t listening to their constituency. How many of them understand what it means to live and breathe and die for a cause?
My heart broke today for this man, his family, and all the other people who just want to make a little something for themselves in the world. And this is the very reason I fight so hard, so very personally, to get government out of our lives.
The greater good laws are only greater good for big business, rich politicians, and self-appointed guards of our lives.
This madness has to stop. It has to stop.
This sad story makes me angry. Here’s a guy busting his ass to make a living and have a positive impact on people’s lives. Anyone that was fortunate enough to enjoy the gifts from his kitchen knows that.
Instead of our government providing training on successful business operation, HR, marketing, etc, they make his life miserable. All he was doing was trying to make a living.
Can you imagine what this country would be like if the government got involved like this in the early 20th century, when there were countless small mom and pop operations? Yikes. They all would have failed. Makes me angry.
condolences- it is not the first time that a businessman has been run out of business.
where’s Jesse Jackson, and Al Sharpton? This was clearly a race based vendetta. The county health board nutjobs dont have enough to do, except track each others GPS mileage, and run legitimate businesses out of business, and harass tavern, bar, and restaurant and nightclub owners, to justify their jobs.
the smoke that the BBQ put out was surely less than Crazy Aunt Millies, or burger king, or such. and non-toxic- no mercury vapors, or such- just the wholesome scent of grilling meat. YUM!
Maybe it was the sight of a bunch of black men, working, having fun(cooking out is fun work)in a white part of town?
We have millions to front to ballparks, and other dubious ventures, but to rebate bar owners to install “smoke-eaters”; or to change the rules to a more business environment/ or issue a variance, or even buy a newer, compliance bbq? how much is a really god one? 5 grand? thats a drop in the bucket.
The BBQ was formerly a closed chicken shack, and this entrepreneur re-opened it, with considerable start-up costs.
It would be poetic justice if something like a dildo store, or some other politically incorrect eyesore opened in this location, just to poke a stick in the eye of the authorities, with their power mad, micromanaging, controlling agendas.
Just another example of why FTW is not in the top ten list of best middle sized metro areas to locate a business.
spit for brains leadership.
Thank you for all the concerns you have written in the honor of our brother.
The Marshall Family
My brother was a beautiful, happy man until the city of Fort Wayne, Ind. did this to him.
Wow!! Bruce marshall, has been deceased for three years, as of October 1,2010. Thanks to the City Of Fort Wayne. Wow!!!!!!! what a lost. The building on Hobson Road is now sold. I hope and pray the treatments Bruce was dealing with want come back to haunt the buyer. Buyer beware, I hope SMOKE is not on your MENUE. GOD BLESS TO THE SPY WHO HAUNTED BRUCE. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE. HOW CAN YOU LIVE WITH YOUR SELF.
It has been three years October 1, 2010 since Bruce Marshall has been gone. When you do wrong to someone it will come back to you. Whatever is done in the dark and behind closed doors it will come to light. Romans 12:19 says, Dearly beloved avenge not yourselves but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. The Bible also says in Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good and good evil; that put darkness for light and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. It is still so VERY SAD how Bruce died. It was through grace and mercy that he worked as long as he did under all the stress and the pressures that THE CITY OF FORT WAYNE put him through. Bruce couldn't help but to give up because no one would help him. He was treated like he wasn't a human being. He was only trying to make an honest living and that he did. GOD had a better plan and place for Bruce. He was not respected or appreciated here on earth, so he just took him a little higher where he would be respected and appreciated for trying to make a righteous living. He moved him away from the SELF RIGHTEOUS.
Bruce was very special and had a talent for cooking.What made him and his food so special is that he took his time and cooked with Love and Care. He never served anything to his customers that he would not eat himself. Its to bad that some folks had to hate because the food was the best in the Fort. So others try as you might there is only ONE Bruce Lamont Marshall.
RIP Uncle Bruce
The pain will never go away. October 1, 2011 four years, the years are moving on. WAY TO GO!!!!!!!