HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-19-16, Public Comment, D. Pepper,Tap RoomDear Mayor Carson and Members of the Commission:
My name is Dana Pepper and I am a parent of a Hawthorne 1st grader. In fact, my son's class is in the city commission room. I
am writing to you in hopes you can better understand how allowing the Taproom to serve alcohol across the street from
Hawthorne is making our students less safe.
At the first meeting with parents to discuss the policy and procedures of having children at city hall, Hawthorne's principal, Casey
Bertram, explained that the kids would be crossing at the stop lights at the corner of Rouse and Mendenhall. At least one parent
questioned this plan due to the fact that the children would have to walk past the Taproom. It appears that the administration
modified their plan based on this concern because now the children cross at Rouse and Lamme. Thus, the existence of the
Taproom across the street form Hawthorne has made our children less safe. Undoubtedly, in response to my comments,
someone will argue that the situation of 1st graders having to cross the street will cease to exist once the construction at
Hawthorne has been complete. Although this is true, the situation remains that Hawthorn's administration, in consideration of
parents' concerns, appears to have determined that Hawthorne students will not be walked in front of the bar. Thus, it appears
that Hawthorne students will no longer cross the street at the stoplight on the north side of Rouse and Mendenhall. It is therefore
likely that in the future students will instead have to cross the street where there is not a stop light. Just as I assume no one
thought that 40 students would be placed in a less safe situation on a daily basis when the Taproom received the conditional use
permit, we cannot predict how allowing the Taproom to get a full liquor will impact Hawthorne students.
In addition to the fact that children who attend first grade at city hall are less safe, the commission should also consider the fact
that the Taproom being right across the street from Hawthorne School is taking time and energy of Hawthorne's administration
away from the education of our children because they are forced to address parents' concerns about the Taproom.
I therefore ask that the city commission not take any action which would facilitate the Taproom getting a full liquor license.
Thank you for your time,
Dana Elias Pepper