The Niagara County Health Department cited the Niagara Gospel Rescue Mission for operating a food service establishment illegally, documents made available to the Niagara Falls Reporter over the weekend show.
Inspectors noted a sign on the front door of a former private residence at the corner of Ferry Avenue and Memorial Parkway advertising times when indigent people could come and be served breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The Mission does not have a permit to serve food. Because the kitchen is simply one that might be found in any home, Mission officials said they knew it would not pass the required county inspection and so did not bother applying for a permit.
They were charged a total of $787 for what was determined to be a "high risk" operation and not having the required permit.
The Memorial Park Neighborhood Block Club has been adamantly opposed to the mission. Block club officials charge that the mentally ill and substance abusers the mission attracts represent a public nuisance and a danger to the community.
A court battle looms over whether they can continue to operate focused on zoning laws . |