HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-22-17 Public Comment - C. Callis- TapRoomDear City Commissioners,
I’m writing as a community member who attended bsd7 schools and mother of two school-aged
children currently attending bsd7 elementary and middle schools. In my opinion, the design and
renovation of the Bozeman Taproom improved the appearance of the property, BUT I had
reservations from the start at the thought of an open air bar directly across the street from (and
within full visibility of) an elementary school. I drive by Hawthorne three times every week
during school pick up with my kids on their way to gymnastics practice, and during the warm
months, they definitely noticed the property and the people in the bar. The ensuing discussions
showed a high level of curiosity on their part, and I couldn’t help thinking, “Wow, I feel sorry
for those Hawthorne parents!” It’s unsettling because a parent’s mind goes down the path of
protection for the most awful issues that could arise, like nefarious individuals under the
influence of alcohol using the open air position to gawk at children leaving school. The
probability of the most awful happening is likely low, but the probability of school kids
witnessing drunk behavior from their school is high, especially in this college town, and
especially with the addition of liquor to the Taproom repertoire. That’s why the Taproom’s
recent change of address as a means of circumventing the law to obtain a full service license
reeks of flagrant deception, not to mention arrogance and greed. The facts are: 1) Hawthorne
school is located within 600 feet of the business (this is verifiable; the address is only a
technicality!), and 2) the open air bar is within full visibility of the school and from the
school. Elementary kids attending Hawthorne don’t need to see drunk people, and drunk people
should not be able to watch Hawthorne school kids. In our community, kids should come
first. Please deny the request for modification of Bozeman Taproom’s CUP.
Best,
Courtney Callis
Research Scientist, Risk Assessment
Lilly Research Laboratories - Health/Safety/Environmental
Eli Lilly and Company Office: 317-277-5067
Mobile: 406-581-1067
Fax: 406-586-9017
Email: courtney.callis@lilly.com | Web: http://www.lilly.com