Piecemakers run into problems again

Jennifer Kho

COSTA MESA -- A superior court judge decided Friday that the

Piecemakers Country Store must correct additional health code violations

county officials found there this week.

But despite an escalation of tension between the group and the Orange

County health department, the judge did not extend the Piecemakers’

probation period, which is scheduled to end in December.

The Mesa Verde business, run by a fiery religious group that tangles

often with local government, had previously been cited for a number of

other health code violations and ordered to shut down its tea room

restaurant and candy counter. It is on probation with both the city and

the county, with regular, unannounced inspections as one of the

conditions.

According to the inspection report, the most recent violations

included giving out bread samples and selling bulk foods without a

permit, having incomplete labeling and having plants in the kitchen.

Inspectors also allegedly found three dead cockroaches under an unused

dishwasher.

The judge ruled the store’s packaged foods must have either “display

only” labels or manufacturers’ labels, bread samples must be discontinued

and, if packaged foods are stored in the kitchen, the refrigerator must

have a thermometer and potted plants must be removed.

The violations are minor, the judge said. Health department

spokeswoman Pat Markley agreed, saying the agency is much more concerned

about the Piecemakers’ refusal to let the health inspectors conduct

unimpeded facility inspections.

“When inspectors are there it is often a rather tense atmosphere with

some hostile comments including, on occasion, some foul language,”

Markley said. “The issue is our right to inspect the food facility to

comply with state law, which we do with every other food facility in

Orange County. We’re not singling them out, but there has been a long

history of interaction between government entities and the Piecemakers.”

Marie Kolasinski, 76, and Anne Sorenson, 68, on probation from

criminal charges for the previous code violations, said the health

department is responsible for the hostile atmosphere.

“I used to shake in my boots and feel sick when they came, but now I’m

just (angry),” Kolasinski said. “They’re not satisfied that we’ve shut

down; they’re looking for more things to bother us about. This is the

worst harassment you can get, and it’s disgusting. By the time we satisfy

all the codes and pay for all the permits, our money will be gone.”

The inspectors were supposed to check to make sure the kitchen is not

open for the restaurant business, she said, claiming the rest of the

inspection was uncalled for.

Markley said there was nothing improper about the inspection because

even stores that only sell packaged food are subject to unannounced

inspections.

The Piecemakers said the health codes are detrimental to business.

“We’re against the codes and laws that bind the people rather than

serve the people and I have yet to see any code or law by the health

department,” Kolasinski said. “We’d like nothing better than to just do

our job and serve the community. Why should we follow man-made laws that

are stupid?”

Permits only benefit the department that collects the money, Sorenson

said, adding that a permit and a complete label wouldn’t make the bread

any healthier.

But, Markley countered, permits are necessary because they ensure the

food has fulfilled state requirements and is safe to eat. Labels are

important because people with food allergies need to be aware of the

ingredients that are in the food, she said.

“These laws protect the public,” she said. “The public needs the

assurance that the food they are buying complies with state law, which is

put in place by elected representatives of the people. People can, of

course, talk to their state representatives if they want to start the

ball rolling to change the law. If there is enough public support, laws

do get changed. But there doesn’t seem to be a groundswell movement for

what they’re asking.”

The Piecemakers are circulating a petition in favor of getting rid of

the county health department and “burdensome, useless laws and codes” and

had collected more than 300 signatures as of last week.

They are also planning to have a protest march at health department

offices.

The Piecemakers hope to begin a grass-roots movement to “turn around

the system” and “bring people’s hearts back to God and have him rule over

the people rather than our government,” Kolasinski said.