Bulldog Saloon Meeting May be Closed to Public
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By David [email protected]
According to John Erickson, senior public information officer, State Fire Marshal’s Office, “It is not a public meeting. It will be a reconcilation meeting between the owner and manager and the inspector.”
If the public attends the meeting, Erickson said late Thursday afternoon, “We’ll have to take a look at that.” As the Saloon belongs to Tim Carter, Erickson said the department couldn’t turn anyone away, but the meeting likely wouldn’t proceed.
State Rep. Rebecca Kubacki agreed. She said the meeting was for both sides to hash out their differences and work them out.
Beth Thompson, saloon manager and daughter of owner Tim Carter, said Thursday evening that they were still planning on having the meeting Tuesday.
“We have questions along with other business owners of Mentone,” she said.
She said the department set up the meeting between State Rep. Tim Harman and themselves, so now it seems like they’re contradicting themselves in saying it wouldn’t be a public meeting.
“I feel like they’re backtracking,” she said.
As Carter reported to the Times-Union this week, the Bulldog Saloon was first inspected May 8. It was cited for 16 violations. On May 29, the state building inspector, Ed Sorensen, did another inspection and cited the establishment for four more violations. A third visit June 24 resulted in more violations, including a doorway between the old Saloon location and the new location at the former Pill Box Pharmacy.
Carter has addressed most of the violations, but there are several which he was concerned could put him out of business.
Thompson Tuesday afternoon said they were told the first inspection wasn’t planned. The building inspectors had just driven through town and noticed a new business and thought they would stop in. They inspected the building for more than eight hours.
Erickson reported yesterday that the inspectors were in town to look at the Head Start building. One of the department’s priorities is taking a look at buildings with entertainment permits. The inspection of the saloon was a periodic inspection that was conducted while they were in the area.
He said he couldn’t say it was common for inspectors to find additional violations while on second or third visits, but it does happen.
Typically, a business has 30 days to fix a violation, Erickson said, but if they see an owner or manager working on a violation or making progress, they will work with them.
Safety is their number one priority, Erickson said. While they can be sympathetic, if something needs to be brought into compliance, “it needs to be brought into compliance.”
As for the door between the two buildings at Bulldog Saloon, Erickson said violations can be appealed to the state commission, or the owner can ask the commission for a variance.
“Our goal is not to make life more difficult, but to keep people safe,” Erickson said. That’s not only the patrons, but also the owners and mangers.[[In-content Ad]]
Latest News
E-Editions
According to John Erickson, senior public information officer, State Fire Marshal’s Office, “It is not a public meeting. It will be a reconcilation meeting between the owner and manager and the inspector.”
If the public attends the meeting, Erickson said late Thursday afternoon, “We’ll have to take a look at that.” As the Saloon belongs to Tim Carter, Erickson said the department couldn’t turn anyone away, but the meeting likely wouldn’t proceed.
State Rep. Rebecca Kubacki agreed. She said the meeting was for both sides to hash out their differences and work them out.
Beth Thompson, saloon manager and daughter of owner Tim Carter, said Thursday evening that they were still planning on having the meeting Tuesday.
“We have questions along with other business owners of Mentone,” she said.
She said the department set up the meeting between State Rep. Tim Harman and themselves, so now it seems like they’re contradicting themselves in saying it wouldn’t be a public meeting.
“I feel like they’re backtracking,” she said.
As Carter reported to the Times-Union this week, the Bulldog Saloon was first inspected May 8. It was cited for 16 violations. On May 29, the state building inspector, Ed Sorensen, did another inspection and cited the establishment for four more violations. A third visit June 24 resulted in more violations, including a doorway between the old Saloon location and the new location at the former Pill Box Pharmacy.
Carter has addressed most of the violations, but there are several which he was concerned could put him out of business.
Thompson Tuesday afternoon said they were told the first inspection wasn’t planned. The building inspectors had just driven through town and noticed a new business and thought they would stop in. They inspected the building for more than eight hours.
Erickson reported yesterday that the inspectors were in town to look at the Head Start building. One of the department’s priorities is taking a look at buildings with entertainment permits. The inspection of the saloon was a periodic inspection that was conducted while they were in the area.
He said he couldn’t say it was common for inspectors to find additional violations while on second or third visits, but it does happen.
Typically, a business has 30 days to fix a violation, Erickson said, but if they see an owner or manager working on a violation or making progress, they will work with them.
Safety is their number one priority, Erickson said. While they can be sympathetic, if something needs to be brought into compliance, “it needs to be brought into compliance.”
As for the door between the two buildings at Bulldog Saloon, Erickson said violations can be appealed to the state commission, or the owner can ask the commission for a variance.
“Our goal is not to make life more difficult, but to keep people safe,” Erickson said. That’s not only the patrons, but also the owners and mangers.[[In-content Ad]]
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092