Before I attended the Common Council meeting tonight, I attended the License Committee meeting.
This is the second License Committee meeting I have attended, and I have been told I am the only observer, citizen or elected official, who has attended since the new committee has been in place. I do not know if anyone ever observed in the past.
It is a very uneventful process, and, for me, at times uncomfortable, as I feel I am intruding in the personal business of people. But in reality, I know it is not "personal business," because if someone is being called before the Committee to discuss whether they should be entitled to a license to be a bartender, and they have had past issues with the law, then it becomes public.
The first time I attended was basically to see what these meetings were all about. Tonight I wanted to ask a couple questions.
The committee consists of the following:
The License Committee is comprised of 3 Aldermen appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Common Council, each to serve a one-year term commencing May 1.
Powers and Duties: It is the duty of this Committee to review applications for business licenses in the City of Franklin and submit their recommendations to the Common Council.
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Members |
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Term/Expiration |
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Alderman Tim Solomon |
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1 Year/4-30-09 |
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Alderman Kristen Wilhelm |
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1 Year/4-30-09 |
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Alderman Steve F. Taylor |
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1 Year/4-30-09 |
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Ex Officio Non-Voting Member: Sandra Wesolowski, City Clerk |
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Alderman Solomon is very knowledgeable on this Committee, as Aldermen Wilhelm and Taylor are new this year.
Before I had the chance to ask my questions, Alderman Taylor brought up one of them himself to Alderman Solomon. He mentioned that the Buckhorn has been an isssue on the blogs and citizens are concerned. He asked what the status was.
Alderman Solomon said he has just been in contact with the City Attorney and was told that the License Committee should take no action until they hear from the Special Prosecutor. The License Committee is the jury in the Buckhorn case.
I asked whether there was a time limit regarding how long the Special Prosecutor may take to submit his findings. Alderman Solomon said no, he cold take as long as he needed.
In closing...due process regarding the Buckhorn looks like it can take until hell freezes over...if the Special Prosecutor delays, then the License Committee takes the time they need to be the "jury," before presenting this issue to the full Council, who knows...maybe all of the bartenders will be working somewhere else by then. Maybe the Buckhorn will finally be sold by then. Who knows.
