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Bakery remains closed
Extension of owners' U.S. visas was denied, a note says.
By NICK JOHNSON
Published July 22, 2007
ST. PETE BEACH - For more than 10 years, the German Baker Boy bakery on Corey Avenue has been serving baked goods and German foods to beach residents, but recently anyone who has stopped by has not been greeted by the smell of fresh breads and Danish. Instead they likely encountered a printed note taped to the inside of the locked glass door of the bakery. The note is dated July 4, Independence Day, and says that Marina and Detlef Raddant, the owners of the German bakery, have been unable to return to the shop because they were denied extensions of their U.S. visas. Edward Ducharme, a weekly customer of the bakery, said the Raddants were German nationals who traveled back to Germany to maintain their citizenship. He was concerned about the proprietors of his favorite baked goods. "I can't get my Danish, and I feel sorry for these people," Ducharme said, adding that it would be a loss to the community if the bakery were to close permanently. The note said that the Raddants had attempted to contact U.S. Rep. Bill Young and urged customers to do the same but offered no further explanation. Young was unable to comment on the situation without permission of the Raddant family, according to his chief of staff, Harry Glenn. Glenn said the Raddants were still in the country and had been in contact with Young through his St. Petersburg office on Thursday. A reporter was unable to reach the Raddants for comment. Nick Johnson can be reached at nickjohnson@sptimes.com or 727 893-8361.
[Last modified July 22, 2007, 00:09:09]
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by Carmen Reyes
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08/18/07 06:38 PM
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creyes@rockco.com please let me know how I can help in supporting there visa approval.
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by Carmen Reyes
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08/18/07 06:36 PM
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This is my favorite bakery. We are regular customers and are appaled at the lame excuses and red tape being wrapped around the approval of their stay. The German Boy Bakery is unique bakery that lends some international flavor to the community.
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by dis-illusioned
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07/27/07 03:37 PM
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we are here on E2 visas also with 2 children. We run a business, employ americans and have to re-new every 2 to 5 years. Our kids must leave at 21? After gaining an education here? We are unable to get a green card. Must leave on retirement?
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by tbsh
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07/25/07 09:03 PM
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Kids also "age out" at 21. I am an E2 holder I employ up to 15 people. When my kids turn 21, they will be sent back to the UK. After living all their life here. And we renew every 5 years, some only have 2. We all pay taxes and support communities.
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by Jenny
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07/25/07 11:03 AM
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To FJ - please EXPLORE the law that you're inferring the Raddants wish to be excused from, then learn a little more about the Raddants. You apparently don't understand much about the different types of visas and how they're SUPPOSED to work either.
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by PillsburyDoughboy
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07/24/07 07:44 PM
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Quick! Cut all the red tape! Expedite these poor people above all others - what is wrong with this country? Can't people see that the quality of Danish hangs in the balance? Get a grip, people! Let them abide by the process, just like everyone else.
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by CR
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07/24/07 06:02 PM
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How can it be that you are required to invest all the money you have to get this E-2 Visa and then, after almost 10 years of doing business, you just get kicked out. I guess you're better off being here illegally than trying to do the right thing!!
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by Kern
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07/24/07 03:24 PM
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We contacted to Bill Young, to the U.S.
Consulate in Frankfurt and to their Attorney J. Roeper
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by FJ
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07/23/07 03:16 PM
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I hate to break it to you .... but they new how much time they had here ...So why set yourself up, when you know that you can't stay here?Do you mean to tell me, just because you make a mean Danish .... you should be excused from following the law?
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by Esther
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07/23/07 01:21 PM
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I am appalled that people who are contributing to our community in their business venture and paying taxes here cannot be granted a visa to stay here. I hope the authorities change their minds and let the Raddants back in our country.
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by jackie o
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07/23/07 10:27 AM
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Are we to be limited to mass produced supermarket crap instead of the high quality delicious offerings this wonderful couple provided? I miss my poppy seed Danish. Beaueaucratic stupidity reigns in a Republican engineered climate of fear.
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by Anne
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07/23/07 08:28 AM
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I kown the Raddants petsonally for 10 years.
They are hard workers, tthey pay their taxes and they contribute to the community by adding a service that locals and touristsare attracted to.
Guess it doesn't pay off to be here legaly !!! no amnesty
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by Jason
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07/23/07 07:21 AM
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THESE are the immigrants that the economy suffers without. Not illegal farm or construction workers.
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by Elizabeth
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07/22/07 11:16 PM
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is a shame not letting these people return to this country, wheras so many foreigners are allowed to enter this country without a visa
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by LIONEL
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07/22/07 07:37 AM
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well here we go again.Another example of law-abiding foreign nationals giving to the community-at-large and being held out while our dear Mr.Bush wants to grant every Tom,Dick and Pedro free access without any requirement.What's really going on?
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