I'm sorry that I don't post as quickly as I should. Sometimes it takes several days for me to hear all that has taken place at the township meetings. I'm really sorry that I couldn't be at the board meeting this past Monday. For those of you that were not there, our board voted unanimously to deny the consent agreement to Mr. Birkenshaw pertaining to his retail establishment (S.O.B.). Included in the denial was that there would be no lifting of the Temporary Restraining Order put in place by Judge Deegan barring the gas station from having any adult materials. This is the one win for our side so far.
What I did find curious was Mr. Damon's comments, the attorney for Mr. Birkenshaw, regarding the meeting that he has with our supervisor Dave Rushing. Mr. Damon stated that they had sat down together drafting this consent agreement and that Dave had said that this was something he could take to "his board." My questions are: Is this his board? Was he authorized to negotiate a consent agreement without first having the full boards approval? When he was negotiating, was he concerned what was in the best interest of Riley Township, or was he just trying to get this thing settled before the election? Good questions? I wonder if there are any good answers out there.
Anyhow, the Planning Commission Meeting is this Monday at 7:00. The site plan review for the S.O.B. (Sexually Oriented Business) will be taken up then. I hope that the turnout is as good as last month.
UPCOMING MEETING..
17 years ago
3 comments:
I'm from Emmett and found the link to your blog in the Emmett paper. I just want to comment on the Adult Book Store. Let me tell you....most of Emmett doesn't want to see it open, either. What does our town look like when you come off the expressway and the very first thing you see is an Adult Book Store? Not good! Travel a little farther down the road, and now, (since the building on Main Street which used to block the view, has been torn down), you see a topless bar! I don't know for sure, but the rumor I have heard is that once he opens the book store, he is planning on moving the Topless Bar into that same building. This being the reason for the side door (the one facing M-19) and the 'new' sign he put up on Main Street which says 'Gentlemen's Club, Side Door'. And, Im sorry, but, I can't, for the life of me, imagine a 'True Gentleman' walking into that place! Makes ya wonder if that sign isn't intended to be moved to the new Book Store. He sure doesn't put any money into the bar or store, or anything else he's got, why would he spend money on a brand new sign? Things that make ya go 'Hmmmmmmmmm'. That bar as it sits now, is in about the same shape as the building which was just torn down. The store, too! Surprised they haven't caved in yet! I've never understood how he gets away with the things he does. If you go by the store which was connected to the torn down building, you will see the front wall of the store being held up by planks and the side wall is leaning outward....yet, it's still open for business. I sure wouldnt want to be sitting at that register! Also, during the time the building was being torn down, I never noticed it being roped off with danger tape or anything. How dangerous is that??? I think that whole block, other than Scooter's and the VFW should just be bulldozed right out of there and buried somewhere out in the back 40! I commend Riley Twp on their fight against this Adult book store. Keep up the good work! Emmett is backing you on this!
I was at the last Township meeting and found it interesting when Mr. Birkenshaw's attorney threw up his hands and stated there was no furthe business to discuss. I got the impression that Mr. Damon and Mr. Rushing had come up with an agreement. It appeared that Mr. Rushing changed his mind when the public was against any compromise on the adult book store.
If what it takes to keep Mr. Birkenshaw from opening his book store is for the public to go to the meetings and speak out, I will continue to go.
I just want to thank you for this Web site and for the updates!!
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