Downtown Royal Oak on Readers Minds

The problems of downtown Royal Oak are again the focus of Versagi Voice readers. Last week's reports out of the Liquor Control Committee and CITCOM generated a mix of strong reactions, not all of them publishable. (Some readers caught the reports in Patch and were still commenting on Sunday, 25 March.) Here are four vigorous but rational inputs: 1) A civic activist who has posted YouTube videos of some incidents; 2) A former city commissioner who is/was a downtown retailer; 3) A former candidate for city commission; and 4) A resident of a downtown condo.

● Geof Vasquez re how downtown differs after midnight
Many people don't understand how much our downtown changes for the worse as the night wears on. After midnight it is quite different than the Royal Oak most people see during the dinner hours. I have videotaped it on several weekends this year and will eventually post all that I have on YouTube. Those I made on St. Patrick's Day, Saturday, March 17, 2012 have already been posted. I am hopeful you will post this letter and YouTube link on your website:

http://www.youtube.com/user/RoyalOakSun?ob=0&feature=results_main

When experiencing Royal Oak's downtown after midnight, you begin to understand the scope and cost of the public safety effort to maintain only a semblance of control.  Some will say, its St. Patrick's Day, but the random nights in June show very similar levels of police activity. I think people that truly care for our city would rather see it bathed in moonlight, not in the red & blue flashing lights of police cruisers.

Mayor Ellison and Commissioners Rasor, Dubuc and Fournier have been consistent supporters of more bars and a false promise; bars create economic development and jobs. The promise from these elected officials stands in direct conflict with just about every single fact that the city itself has released regarding taxes paid, crime and its own deteriorating financial condition. These elected officials are taking the lead in the creation a large uncontrollable downtown and wasting millions of taxpayer dollars policing the midnight mayhem. The path these officials are taking will not lead us to economic prosperity, but to the largest millage in the history of our city. [Emphasis is Geof's]

● Laura Harrison re the fate of downtown retail
Maybe if retail is dead or at least on life support maybe the "entertainment" district should form its own police department and let the current police department take care of the residential areas only.  Of course, the downtown department will be financially supported by the "entertainment" businesses. 

By the way, I have welcomed several new customers to the shoppe since I moved.  Some of these customers have always steered clear of the downtown

● Rick Karlowski re LCC, CITCOM, Cantina Diablo
I started my diatribes at Public Comment defending the downtown liquor serving establishments against the notion that the beginning of total anarchy was upon us.

However, I have noted changes that I find troubling to say the least, and not just with the increase in the mid-20 adolescent behavior at some of the bars.

More worrisome is the “catch me if you can” behavior of some of the applicants and current operators, and the seeming complicity on the part of some on the ROCC.

I spoke out against granting the changes of operation to Cantina Diablo not because I believe they will cause any more mayhem as a year round versus seasonal use, but because of the way the enclosure, specifically the glass wall, was worked into the plan.  There was NEVER ANY discussion by the applicant about a totally enclosed 2nd floor.  The glass wall was a line in the seating layout.  While a builder may have noticed it, the folks on the LCC aren’t builders and the applicant was completely silent or downright contradictory in the application.  To hear the applicant’s attorney, Ms Allen,  say the inclusion of the term “seasonal” in the plan of operation for the second floor was just a mistake given all the other flip-flops would be laughable if not a continuing trend.

During the presentation for the proposed Hamlin Pub project, Ms. Allen again had a little “mistake” regarding door walls next to where the bands would be set up.  It was stated they would not be able to be opened, but the proposal drawing clearing showed they where full functioning door walls.  Ooops.  Just a little oversight.  We’ll fix it.  My question at the LCC meeting and now is what else is buried in the drawing that once approved as part of the operating plan will sudden raise its head.

Then there is the Ballantine “Steak House” proposal, which basically is attempting to undermine the ability of the city to approve or disapprove license transfers and changes of ownership by setting up a shell game of Limited Liability Corporations (LLC’s) that would force the city to sue IF any changes were detected, versus being able to approve/disapprove up front. 

Regardless of where you stand on the issue of additional liquor establishments in the downtown, I hope we can all agree that any proposal needs to be up front and above board, and when they are not, that the City Commission should send a clear message that we are not interested.

So far, it does not seem that is the attitude.

● Tom December sent the following message to CITCOM.
I am appalled at the lack of concern regarding the out of control behavior that takes place on the 5th street corridor. On St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th I personally witnessed a face bloodied individual laid out flat unconscious on the corner of 5th and Main, apparently having been tasered by the police with 5 to 6 squad cars and 3 EMS units surrounding the area.  That individual was transported by EMS. 

In addition, 5 to 6 police circled around the incident like wagons circling for protection with hands on holstered weapons intimidating the crowd gathered.  Then the name calling from the crowd such as “pig”, “police brutality” and the environment of general uncontrolled mayhem.  Not to mention all the multiple squad car calls to service for violence in front of Woody’s, Center Street entrance to Woody’s, the entrance to Black Finn, etc., etc..  It was unbelievable.  In my seven years of watching this lunacy from my condo I have seen the situation become increasingly worse.  I am not exaggerating.

Has no one the courage to address the seriousness of this reality?  Does no one care about the cost associated with these calls to service?  Is no one concerned about the inability to provide adequate protection to the neighborhoods with such a large percentage of police resources diverted to the DBD?  Does anyone believe that this is not going to lead to a major violent incident as the summer progresses?  Do the Police really believe they have this under control?  Please help me understand. 

On 20 March, Versagi Voice mentioned "the first murmurings of establishing a 3-year moratorium on granting new alcohol licenses." On 23 March, the Daily Tribune headline read, "Is it time for a bar moratorium?"  Moratorium is in the air. For context about all this, See

Frank Versagi is the editor of Versagi Voice.