(SANILAC COUNTY) – In a battle with local and state officials that has gone on for weeks,
Troy Tank had his day in court last week in regards to whether or not the Sandusky Diner, formerly the Big Boy restaurant, would be staying open.
Ultimately, for now, the popular business is closed pending further legal action.
When the MDHHS ordered restaurants to close indoor dining in November, the Tank family decided to stay open.
Following what some have described as a heated encounter with Sanilac County Health Department Director Bryant Wilkie, the business continued to serve food while racking up fines of more than $10,000.
A GoFundMe campaign has raised over $12,000 dollars to help defray costs to the Tank family and their battle with authorities.
In court documents, Circuit Court Judge Donald Teeple claimed people who don’t want to wear masks and go eat at the restaurant were “goofs.”
He also stated, “If they go in there and stay there for the rest of their life until they die from it that would be fine.”
After Tanks legal team said there was no proof or evidence the restaurant caused or spread COVID-19, Teeple added, they must live in “Trumpville” to believe that.
Sanilac County Health Department Health Director Bryant Wilke signed the paperwork for the legal action to be taken.
