Bar donates money directly to a City agency: Is that kosher?
Unfortunately, the uniqueness of how the last donation came about has
confused and upset people. No one has objected to financial gifts from
the Restaurant Association to selected nonprofit groups over the years.
People praise, not condemn, individual restaurants which turn over a
share of profits on a given day to civic groups, even to the point of letting
volunteers wait table. Those wine or beer tours set up to support private
sector charitable groups take place without serious opposition.
People are miffed both because of the way the latest donor was granted
a Special Event Permit and by the fact that the need for the ROOTS
Foundation itself (the former ACORN) is questionable. ACORN was set up
originally to provide a convenient and legal way for nonprofits which have
not yet acquired 501 C 3 status to pay expenses and to distribute funds
which they themselves have collected. The thought that ROOTS would
seek funds for itself -- apparently to allocate as it sees fit -- is bothersome.
Frank Versagi is the editor of Versagi Voice.
M.A.D.D. Mom
4:56 pm on Monday, June 25, 2012
This would appear to be a conflict, since the city council has to vote on liquor licensing issues and renewals.
It doesn't pass the proverbial smell test.
Debbie Campbell
3:55 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Does this come as a surprise to people?
The Liquor Lobby in Royal Oak is a powerhouse. A Liquor License approval in this City = MILLIONS of dollars in the pockets of bar owners annually. In the last City Commission election bar owners and their representatives donated thousands of dollars to the political campaigns of a slate of commission candidates.
Does it come as a surprise now to anyone that the Liquor Industry is rapidly expanding in RO since this new commission was sworn into office? Liquor Licenses are being approved against recommendations from the Police Department, against the stated purpose of the Liquor License Ordinance (which is to LIMIT the number of liquor licenses) and against the goals and objectives of the City’s Master Plan which specify a balanced mix of land-uses in the Downtown NOT an “entertainment/drinking district.”
Is it a surprise that a huge millage increase is coming to pay for additional police officers to patrol the “drinking district” these commissioners have created and continue to expand?
Is it “kosher” that bars are now allowed to circumvent special event permitting procedure for liquor serving events on City property simply by donating a small sliver of the event proceeds to a new “special fund”?
No it isn’t kosher, but it certainly doesn’t come as a surprise.
Ed
1:07 am on Thursday, June 28, 2012
Instead of writing a letter about how "flush" the parking fund is, maybe commissioner Razor can write an editorial defending how "kosher" this arrangement is?
He is the city commission representive on the ROOTS foundation board that schemed up this cozy arrangement with the bar owners.
Ronald Wolf
12:57 am on Monday, September 24, 2012
What is the surprise? Corruption comes on many levels some even legal. Jim Rasor sits on the board of Roots which he named as a beneficiary of fifteen percent of the AB&E event parking in the former Fresard he had arranged to take over (and I heard it would be twenty dollars). The same deal that after much pressure he agreed to back out of coincidentally preserving his seats on both commissions. Any more is left to speculation, however it is common knowledge Rasor is still respected for his stance on the expansion of business downtown including bars. Unless RO voters turn into zombies I doubt he will win another term. I will miss his proactive views on establishing a downtown park that would benefit all residents.
Ronald Wolf
10:28 am on Monday, September 24, 2012
The commission holds a meeting on the evening of Rosh Hashanah an important holiday celebrating the Jewish New Year when it is traditional after synagogue to have dinner and celebrate with your family, prayers and a wish for a "Shana Tova" the traditional greeting for a happy new year? This precedes "Yom Kippur" the day Jews ask for the forgiveness of their transgressions (day of atonement), considered the holiest day of the year including fasting and prayers.
Is that "kosher"?
Is that ignorance or tradition?