HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-14-16 Public Comment - J. Mugaas - Bozeman TaproomDear Commissioners:
My grandchildren attend Hawthorne School in Bozeman. I was appalled several months ago
when I discovered that a "Taproom” with a second floor, unwalled serving space opened for
business right across the street from that school. And I wondered, how the hell did that happen.
Then I learned it was allowed to happen because of a "flaw" in the Montana statute that is
supposed to keep businesses that peddle alcohol at least 600 ft. from any school. The Montana
Law may be flawed, but what is the excuse for our City Commission allowing it to happen
anyway--whatever happened to all that good "common sense" that you are supposed to employ
when granting people permits to conduct business within the city limits. And I can't believe the
crass indifference of the owners of that business toward the children that attend Hawthorne and
their parents. And now I learn that the "Taproom" has made application for a permit to allow it to
serve hard liquor. I strongly oppose the granting of such a permit, in fact, I think the citizens of
that neighborhood should be looking into ways to shut them down. I know the "bar culture" is an
important economic driver, but giving them this sort of "preferred treatment" is beyond
understanding. Our children are far more important than the success of that particular bogus
enterprise. I strongly urge you to vote, no, on their request for a hard liquor permit, and to
consider very strongly establishing restrictions on how they serve any alcohol in proximity to the
school;
Sincerely yours,
John N. Mugaas
414 Meagher Ave.
Bozeman, MT 59718
Phone: 406 404 1028