Washington Twp. Officials Promise Personnel Investigation After Restaurant Fined

Washington Township officials are undergoing an personnel investigation after a restaurant was allegedly issued a violation for electrical work without receiving a visit from an inspector, administrator Catherine Navarro-Steinel said last week.

Gyros & Goodies owner Terry Kipriadis previously told Patch that she had received a citation for electrical work with a $1,000 fine after the restaurant appeared on an episode of Food Network show "Restaurant Divided." The inspector had not come, but instead issued the violation after receiving a tip from an un-named source, she said.

The results of Navarro-Steinel's investigation most likely won't go public, as personnel matters are handled in closed session unless the employee in question chooses to open council discussions to the public.

Navarro-Steinel said that she expected the restaurant wouldn't have to pay the fine, as it would be easy to correct the alleged violation. She previously explained that the fines are used to assist in compliance and anyone issued a citation should have a chance to fix it first.

Kipriadis, who denied she had done anything wrong, said she was suspicious about the timing of the citation because it was dated from the same day Mayor Janet Sobkowicz called her to request she take down a banner advertising the restaurant's appearance on the Food Network.

Sobkowicz said the timing was coincidental.

Several residents questioned why Gyros & Goodies had received the citation during last week's council meeting. Michael Ullman asked why the restaurant had been singled out when other signs at the Washington Town Center also seemingly violate the township sign ordinance.

"I understand that someone may have called, but... there are other signs that are in violation," he said.

David Snyde, a resident and real estate agent, said he was concerned that the negative publicity from articles about the issue could hurt property values in the township.

"I am totally appalled at this situation," Snyde said.