Considers alcohol on city property as competition
Managing editor
Marion VFW Commander Warren Kreutziger told Marion City Council Monday that he was not pleased with the decision made by the council to allow the temporary sale and serving of alcohol in the city auditorium.
“I have a license to serve alcohol. I want the city’s support,” he said. “I would rather people rent the VFW than use the city building.”
Kreutziger explained that the VFW facility was open to the public and had been used for wedding receptions and banquets.
“I’m not trying to argue with you,” Councilman Stacey Collett said. “We need a place to hold 300 to 400 people. If alcohol is allowed, there will be an increase in deposit for renting the building and a permit to serve alcohol.”
Currently the main floor of the auditorium has a capacity of 334 people. If renovation plans proceed and the seats are removed, there probably will be more seating available.
Marion Advancement Campaign representative Todd Heitschmidt verified that in order for the organization to proceed with obtaining grant funds, the city had to commit to allowing alcohol to be served in the building. Otherwise, the facility could not be utilized to its fullest potential.
“I don’t think it will hurt the VFW,” Mayor Mary Olson said.
Some do want sidewalks
Marion resident Brad Wildin submitted a petition from residents in the 500 and 600 blocks of South Cedar Street who were in favor of having sidewalks across their properties as part of the Safe Routes to School project.
Wildin, who lives in the 500 block of South Cedar Street, said numerous students walk in his block to go to Marion schools and would like to see sidewalks installed.
“There are 11 households in those two blocks,” he said. “I don’t understand how two homeowners can influence the council.”
“The decision was made (to eliminate the two blocks of sidewalks) because of other improvements that needed to be made on Elm Street,” Councilman Steven Smith said. “The negative comments didn’t come up during the meeting. It was brought up through discussion.”
City Economic Development Director Doug Kjellin explained that the areas chosen for new or replacement sidewalks were done a few years ago. The number of children in a neighborhood may have changed since then.
The sidewalks and ramps were prioritized, 1 through 10. The project began with the No. 1 priority, which was Elm Street. As long as funds hold out, all phases of the project will be completed, including sidewalks on South Cedar Street, even though it was listed further down the list.
With that, the council rescinded a previous motion to eliminate the 500 and 600 blocks of South Cedar Street from the project.