By DAVE MARTIN
THE GOSHEN NEWS
September 05, 2008 12:11 pm
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SHIPSHEWANA, Ind. — Let no one be mistaken, the residents and business owners of Shipshewana are dead serious about keeping Shipshewana dry.
The management company running the day-to-day operations of the Shipshewana Town Center and the Town Council members found that out Thursday at a public forum on alcohol at the center. However, they learned by the end of the meeting that Shipshewana residents also can have a forgiving and helpful spirit.
The meeting was scheduled when Focus Hospitality Services LLC issued a press release. It announced that despite entering into a five-year contract with the town to manage the Town Center under an alcohol ban, Focus and the Town Council members had decided to begin immediately allowing alcohol at catered, private events only.
Shawn Bowman, vice president of marketing and sales for Focus, said Thursday that examples of events with alcohol would be weddings, banquets and car shows.
Town Manager Mike Puro told the sizable audience at the Town Center, which has only been open about a year, that caterers at such events must have a “supplemental catering permit” from the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission in order to serve alcohol. Among the permit provisions, the events cannot be open to the public, and no alcohol is permitted to leave the events. Neither is any alcohol allowed to be carried into those venues by anyone.
The Focus press release had stated that the change would be implemented because of an estimated $300,000 in gross revenues that could be captured by serving alcohol. Bowman said Thursday that about 90 percent of the people inquiring about booking the Town Center are declining once they find out that alcohol is banned.
Although the announcement stated that Focus did not need any council action in order to obtain a catering permit from the state commission, Puro indicated at the forum that the council had decided to support limited alcohol availability at the Town Center. The release stated that it was a difficult decision by council members “given the cultural traditions of the area” and was based upon input from some Shipshewana area residents and the need for the Town Center to “operate profitably.”
Once Bowman gave his opening presentation, Focus and the Town Council members drew scathing criticisms for their actions from audience members at the forum. Only one council member answered the criticisms, and he struck a repentant tone.
The council, it seems, is left with no wiggle room on the issue after a procession of speakers unanimously and passionately opposed the serving of any alcohol whatsoever at the Town Center. Some speakers and audience members even fought back tears.
Councilman Jerry Rice said that the council would re-open the issue for discussion, but he could not promise what the panel would do. Indeed, it is uncertain just what council members can do, since the state commission issues supplemental catering permits.
Following the forum, council President Roger Yoder said that he is sure the Town Center alcohol issue would come up at next Thursday’s council meeting.
Bowman promised that he would deliver the message to his superiors at Focus that the community strongly opposes the serving of alcohol at the Town Center.
Resident and business owner Jerry Ankney criticized Town Center Manager Dean Morgan for not being present at the forum. Bowman said he was detained at a family function.
Ankney drew loud applause when he pointed out the forum should have been held prior to the decision to serve alcohol, not afterwards. He used the example of Gas America, which recently asked for a liquor permit but withdrew the request voluntarily when the owners of the convenience store experienced intense opposition to their plans.
He criticized Focus’ alleged violation of the terms of its contract with the town as “very unfair… and unethical.”
“We should honor and respect the citizens of Shipshewana and honor… their requests and culture,” he added.
Puro pointed out that the permitting process for a convenience store is much different than the Town Center, however, and the state commission has already declared that no permits would be issued for convenience stores in Shipshewana.
Rice admitted to the crowd near the end of the meeting that he thought allowing alcohol at the Town Center was a mistake all along. But he said that the council did not know what else to do because month-after-month the council was seeing significant deficits in the center’s operating budget, adding that if the deficit continues the town itself will have to “underwrite” the losses. The center also was plagued with delays and problems during construction, as well.
Even though he favors signing no more contracts with caterers to allow alcohol, Rice said, “We can’t cancel those caterers already booked.”
Several Amish residents gave impassioned pleas to ban alcohol from the Town Center. One could even be heard following the meeting insisting that current catering contracts including alcohol be canceled.
Marvin Miller, a regular at council meetings in Shipshewana, said, “I was totally shocked… Some of these people ought to be ashamed… They’ve stabbed the (Shipshewana) people in the back.”
Chris Schlabach, also of Shipshewana, said that because no one could control how much people attending Town Center functions would drink, he fears that Amish children on bicycles could be hit by impaired drivers.
Many other residents and business owners, including some of the town’s most powerful entrepreneurs, plead for prohibition in Shipshewana to protect the town’s values and sense of uniqueness.
Flea market, hotel, and conference center owner Kevin Lambright said, “When we have no backbone for what makes this town valuable and unique… we are losing the battle.” He turned to face the council members and added, “I’m very disturbed and cannot believe that you gentlemen would stoop that low.”
He said that if he can operate a conference center in the black that Focus Group should be able to.
Jim Foster said that he has read comments in the Town Center visitors’ book that tourists find Shipshewana to be “quiet, quaint, friendly and different.” In the decision to permit alcohol at the center, “the town has been handed something that’s against the town itself,” he added.
In this case, Shipshewana is losing its uniqueness because of the “almighty dollar,” Jacki Pearson said.
Businessman Alvin Miller of Middlebury accused the council of bowing down to the wishes of the minority. He suggested that opponents of the alcohol proposal write letters of opposition to the state alcohol commission.
Shipshewana resident Linda Hatfield said, “Alcohol is not who we are or what we are.” She said she feared allowing alcohol to be served would open the door for gambling and adult businesses in Shipshewana.
Rebecca Haarer warned Focus, “Don’t mess with my town.”
Ankney’s comment that “dry is the only way to go” seemed to reflect the mood of the crowd Thursday.
Once the crowd heard Rice’s fears about the Town Center operating in deficit, Miller and several other audience members offered to help Focus and the council find a solution to the Town Center’s financial troubles.
Hatfield suggested forming a committee of business owners to brainstorm and lend a hand.
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