I recently returned from attending a portion of the Common Council meeting.
During the Citizen Comment Period, two Franklin citizens spoke. Here is a summary of what they said:
Orville Seymer spoke first and told the Council he lives just around the corner from where the incident occurred and has family and friends who have been involved in accidents and death related to drunk drivers. He said, "I am opposed to taking the liquor license away from the Buckhorn because that simply will not solve the problem. In my opinion, what will solve the problem is tavern owners and bar tenders who take more responsibility for their actions. In other words, they simply cannot refill a patron glass just because it is empty and they have money laying on the bar."
"I am willing to go with any person who is willing to go with me and speak to every bar owner along 27th St. and exert a little peer pressure on them in a nice way so that they understand the consequences of these senseless deaths".
Sheri Hanneman spoke and said she disagrees with Orville Seymer.
This also happened in her neighborhood. She is a Mother Against Drunk Driving.
She believes the Buckhorn's license should be revoked.
She said the employees admitted that Eddie Lynn Keck had repeatedly been over served.
The Buckhorn should lose the privilege of having a license.
Mayor Tom Taylor said "Something needs to be done. If it's Franklin that starts it; then it's Franklin that starts it."
He said he and many from the Council attended the funerals of Mr. and Mrs. Kitchen. They were good people.
The Mayor said the family commended our Police and Fire departments.
He said he would consider going with Orville to the bars on 27th Street.
But we have to follow "due process."
That was the theme for the rest of the discussion.
Alderman Sohns said "we must follow due process."
"Hear the facts".
"We are not ready to judge yet."
"We need to be educated."
"We can't rush to judgment; rush to error."
"The bartenders are an important issue."
"It turned his stomach to read the police report."
Alderman Kosovich said "The incident happened in my District."
He wishes we could "shut the bar down tomorrow. But we can't...we have to follow due process."
Alderman Kosovich made the formal motion to investigate the incident, which was seconded, and approved.
Alderman Solomon said he "was upset when he received the call that night from the Mayor".
"We are the judge and jury on this case."
"We have to follow due process."
Alderman Hammelman said "we are used to things happening quickly."
"But we have to follow due process when you serve as an elected official."
He's on the Licensing Committee and at first he thought it was s "pretty lame committee."
He has "trust in his cohorts." "Justice will be served."
Alderman Olson first commended the Police and Fire officers saying "Franklin has the finest."
He will use all of his past experience and knowledge regarding the bar industry to
help follow "due process."
Alderman Skowronski said we must "follow due process" with the authority of Council.
Alderman Kosovich spoke again saying "in the future ALL bars are going to be watched more
closely in order to keep something like this from happening again."
There you have it.
Due process...
