HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-16-16, Public Comment, A. Martens ,Tap Room
Dear City Commissioners,
I am writing to express my concern about the Tap Room's application for a hard alcohol license. As a
parent and tax-payer in the Bozeman School District, I believe that the close visible and audible proximity
of students and teachers to the Taproom and it's clientele is highly inappropriate for the learning
environment around Hawthorne school.
Specifically, I oppose the approval of the hard alcohol license. Hard liquor service creates a much
greater opportunity for clients in the Tap Room to be visibly drunk in front of students. I know that I am
never interested in my children being around drunkenness, especially around school where I cannot
protect or explain the consequences of drunkenness to them!
I also believe that the rooftop deck should be either closed during school hours or that a screen should be
installed so that students and teachers cannot see people consuming alcohol from the west-side
classroom windows. Teachers have had to modify their use of the school grounds facing the Tap Room,
as well as close their blinds to protect children from the view of the rooftop. It is wrong to expect a public
school to accommodate a bar. This is common sense.
I think it's shameful that the Tap Room changed their address and front entrance just to get around the
laws around limitations for bars around schools. This implies their lack of concern for impacts on
children. Thus, it's up to you, City Commissioners, to protect Bozeman school children from behaviors
and activities that can (and someday will) negatively affect them. Please deny the hard alcohol license
and impose strict regulations around visibility and operating hours.
Thank you,
Ashley Martens
42 Hitching Post Rd
Bozeman, MT 59715
Ashley Martens True Nature Education