stickman
10-21-2003, 10:40 PM
The following was a front page article from our local newspaper tonight:
"Utemark: Too many bars downtown
By Jamie Willey
Parsons Sun
A Parsons business owner complained to the Parsons City Commission Monday evening about the number of drinking establishments downtown.
Robin Utemark, owner of The Consignment Shop, 1814 Broadway, asked the commission if it could prevent any more bars from opening up downtown because it presents a "bad image" for the city. She wanted to know if the city could control the amount of bars through the issuance of liquor licenses.
City Attorney Richard Dearth explained that the city is in charge of only cereal malt beverage licenses, which allows a bar to sell beer with an alcohol content less than 3.2 percent. Those licenses must be given to anyone who qualifies. The state issues liquor licenses, Dearth said.
Dearth said the only control the city has over the location of bars is through zoning. Currently, the downtown area is zoned to allow businesses such as retail shops as well as bars and restaurants that sell alcohol.
Utemark said she's invested a lot of money in locating her business downtown with the thought that it would flourish under the renovation project. She doesn't think that will happen with more bars located there.
"If Parsons allows any more bars to go in, downtown will be deserted during the day. Everyone will make a beeline to Wal-Mart," Utemark said.
She said she didn't mind the restaurants that sell alcohol, but she doesn't like having businesses such as the two pool halls downtown that rely on alcohol alone to make a profit. Those types of businesses will not do well to attract quality tenants in the apartments downtown the city wants to see renovated after many years of sitting empty, she said.
She said she has an apartment at the back of her business from which a person can already hear the noise coming from Leroy Brown's.
Trash is another issue, she said, because there is often a lot of trash that other business owners have to pick up on weekend mornings near the two pool halls.
Commissioner Bob Bartelli said the city is caught in a "Catch-22" because it wants to see a lively downtown with entertainment options but could do without the late-night partying.
Commissioner Lewis Smith said he's seen minors late at night in the pool halls and said there has been at least one shooting in town that was caused by a dispute that originated downtown.
"There's trouble brewing in downtown Parsons late at night," Lewis said.
Dearth suggested that if Utemark wanted to effect a change in the future of downtown Parsons, she should meet with the Parsons Planning Commission, the origin of zoning changes for the city."
I submitted the following letter to the editor, and hope it gets printed:
Too many consignment shops downtown
I think the City Commission should adopt a ban on consignment shops in the downtown business area. They give the downtown district a cheap rummage sale image. Rummage sales should be confined to garages on weekends, with signs all over the place telling how to get there. (It hurts when someone criticizes the business you operate for a living, doesn't it?)
One local consignment shop owner recently complained to the City Commission about there being too many drinking establishments in the downtown area. She especailly indicated that she disliked the two downtown pool halls. I happen to be a regular patron of one of these businesses, and know the owner well. Maybe she should meet him. He is a very nice, likable young man. Like her, he also has a considerable investment in his business. Not everyone who goes into these places drinks, or is out looking for trouble. In fact, I have yet to see any trouble at the one I frequent. The place is clean, well managed, and if you're hungry, it's a great place to get a good home-cooked meal away from home.
Ms. Utemark could always move to Pleasantville.
Signed, addressed, etc.
Maybe a little strong, but this was how I felt after reading this article. /ccboard/images/graemlins/grin.gif
"Utemark: Too many bars downtown
By Jamie Willey
Parsons Sun
A Parsons business owner complained to the Parsons City Commission Monday evening about the number of drinking establishments downtown.
Robin Utemark, owner of The Consignment Shop, 1814 Broadway, asked the commission if it could prevent any more bars from opening up downtown because it presents a "bad image" for the city. She wanted to know if the city could control the amount of bars through the issuance of liquor licenses.
City Attorney Richard Dearth explained that the city is in charge of only cereal malt beverage licenses, which allows a bar to sell beer with an alcohol content less than 3.2 percent. Those licenses must be given to anyone who qualifies. The state issues liquor licenses, Dearth said.
Dearth said the only control the city has over the location of bars is through zoning. Currently, the downtown area is zoned to allow businesses such as retail shops as well as bars and restaurants that sell alcohol.
Utemark said she's invested a lot of money in locating her business downtown with the thought that it would flourish under the renovation project. She doesn't think that will happen with more bars located there.
"If Parsons allows any more bars to go in, downtown will be deserted during the day. Everyone will make a beeline to Wal-Mart," Utemark said.
She said she didn't mind the restaurants that sell alcohol, but she doesn't like having businesses such as the two pool halls downtown that rely on alcohol alone to make a profit. Those types of businesses will not do well to attract quality tenants in the apartments downtown the city wants to see renovated after many years of sitting empty, she said.
She said she has an apartment at the back of her business from which a person can already hear the noise coming from Leroy Brown's.
Trash is another issue, she said, because there is often a lot of trash that other business owners have to pick up on weekend mornings near the two pool halls.
Commissioner Bob Bartelli said the city is caught in a "Catch-22" because it wants to see a lively downtown with entertainment options but could do without the late-night partying.
Commissioner Lewis Smith said he's seen minors late at night in the pool halls and said there has been at least one shooting in town that was caused by a dispute that originated downtown.
"There's trouble brewing in downtown Parsons late at night," Lewis said.
Dearth suggested that if Utemark wanted to effect a change in the future of downtown Parsons, she should meet with the Parsons Planning Commission, the origin of zoning changes for the city."
I submitted the following letter to the editor, and hope it gets printed:
Too many consignment shops downtown
I think the City Commission should adopt a ban on consignment shops in the downtown business area. They give the downtown district a cheap rummage sale image. Rummage sales should be confined to garages on weekends, with signs all over the place telling how to get there. (It hurts when someone criticizes the business you operate for a living, doesn't it?)
One local consignment shop owner recently complained to the City Commission about there being too many drinking establishments in the downtown area. She especailly indicated that she disliked the two downtown pool halls. I happen to be a regular patron of one of these businesses, and know the owner well. Maybe she should meet him. He is a very nice, likable young man. Like her, he also has a considerable investment in his business. Not everyone who goes into these places drinks, or is out looking for trouble. In fact, I have yet to see any trouble at the one I frequent. The place is clean, well managed, and if you're hungry, it's a great place to get a good home-cooked meal away from home.
Ms. Utemark could always move to Pleasantville.
Signed, addressed, etc.
Maybe a little strong, but this was how I felt after reading this article. /ccboard/images/graemlins/grin.gif