By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
George and Kathy Markham of Indian Lake Road recently purchased property at 113 S. Front St. to open a small wine-making kit shop.
The Markhams are seeking a liquor license for their proposed business from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.
The MLCC asked Dowagiac to adopt a resolution of support to better position the applicant to receive a license, which City Council did Monday night.
Corinne Hoyt asked council members, "Did you go to your wards and ask them how they felt about issuing a liquor license? It bothered me a little bit because in my heart something like a video arcade for the young people of town might have been something to consider."
Mayor Pro Tem Wayne Comstock, who conducted the meeting in the absence of Mayor Don Lyons, and First Ward Councilwoman Donna O'Konski assured Hoyt that the home winemaking business would not be competing directly with liquor stores which sell bottled wine.
Schuur said the 60 members of First Christian Church contributed $4,000 to Hurricane Katrina relief.
Hoyt also said she had hoped to utilize the former theater before it became a bank to develop a combination theater, soup kitchen and mentoring program.
Third Ward Councilman Leon Laylin said the state remains "in dire straits" on revenue sharing. "The state budget is going to be affecting the revenue for our city, as well as every city in the state. We've taken some major steps to try and control expenditures. It is affecting our staffing. We've taken steps to curtail as much expense as possible and still keep us a viable city. We've made some great strides for our city. I'm very appreciative of the negotiations made for street paving. Some streets are scheduled for next year that couldn't make it on this year's list due to budget restrictions. It's a constant concern for this council and the expenditures we're making. We're doing the best we can with what we've got left to work with. It's something everyone needs to be aware of."
Mayoral candidate Howard Hall accused the city of "selective enforcement" of policies.