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It’s time that we enter the vast “grey area” that exists between moral outrage and appropriate punishment. Chris Keidel, owner and proprietor of Bottle & Barrel at 554 E. Broadway in Alton, is being made to close his business down for 15 consecutive days between Nov. 26 and Dec. 10 and additionally pay a $500 fine as a penalty from the city of Alton. This punishment is the result of a woman baring her breasts while dancing at a private party held at Bottle & Barrel on Oct. 21. Another attendee at this party filmed the dancing woman and posted the footage on Facebook, expressing some moral outrage that ultimately spurred Mayor Brant Walker and the city of Alton to pursue punitive measures against Keidel.
Let’s for a moment assume the worst-case scenario here and imagine that the party guest who was offended by this momentary partial nudity was traumatized by what he or she saw. Granted, this party guest certainly has the right to be offended to encounter unexpected partial nudity at a party. If there is any lingering emotional trauma or moral outrage, I feel genuine sympathy for this person. However, I can’t help but wonder about the severity of the punishment here.
A 15-day closure for a small business such as this will incur an enormous financial loss, roughly $7,000 to $8,000; high enough that Bottle & Barrel may not have the funds to reopen again in December. Additionally the financial loss to the employees who will lose over two weeks wages is something to consider as well; already this closure has forced the laying off of two employees. The potential closure of this business will also mean a decrease in tax revenue for the city, and with the possible departure of Bottle & Barrel, another empty building in our Downtown commercial district.
Is the economic severity of this punishment in balance with the moral outrage of the party attendee who filmed the dancing, and the city of Alton? Talking with owner Chris Keidel, I’ve learned that this is the first, and only, offense at his establishment. Perhaps a reasonable cash fine is appropriate here, but is the potential closure of a local business a reasonable response to a first offense of this nature? This raises the question; is the moral outrage of one individual probable justification to potentially close a local business? What type of precedent does this set?
Often in situations like this, the first inclination is to overreact. Both sides here have the potential to voice emotional reactions that ultimately don’t help this local business or our local economy. Let’s take positive action here and keep one of our fine local businesses from closing its doors permanently.
To help provide some financial “cushion” to keep Bottle & Barrel in a position to reopen again on Dec. 11, we are inviting everyone who supports our local businesses to come to Bottle & Barrel on Friday evening, Nov. 24, to buy a drink or two. Erin Jo Paddlefoot, singer, songwriter and extraordinary fiddle player, will perform, along with other musical guests. Let’s keep our local economy going, let’s save a local business from permanent closure, and let’s help one of our own here, local business owner Chris Keidel. Let’s look out for each other here. I look forward to seeing you on Nov. 24 at Bottle & Barrel.
Monica Mason
Alton
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is Report to the People No. 41 by County Board District 3 representative Philip W. Chapman.
The purpose of this Report to the People No. 41 is to provide information and to assist with government transparency.
County budget approved by board — The County Board passed a bipartisan budget Wednesday, Nov. 15, by a 24 to 4 margin. The budget reflects an emphasis on public safety by repairing the previously neglected jail, courthouse, and detention center. In brief, the budget ensures better public safety staffing by providing four jailers, one deputy, one coroner staff, one public defender, and two and one-half facility personnel. The budget preserves early voting for primaries. Many kudos to (County Board) Chairman (Kurt) Prenzler for supporting needed improvements to the jail and saving more than $20 million compared to the previous administration’s jail bond issue plan.
Sikich report — Previously, the administration asked for funds to employ Sikich to act as a sort of “IG” to catch any issues outside the parameters of Scheffel and Boyle’s annual audit. At the County Board meeting, I asked (County Administrator) Mr. (Doug) Hulme to ensure Sikich’s findings are shared with department heads and when appropriate used to save county tax dollars.
Variance Request Z17-0050: The Zoning Board and Planning and Development Committee denied this request. The County Board rejected it 25-2. I voted against it due to questions about sewage disposal and because many nearby property owners vehemently opposed it.
Demolition of properties: I moved for the demolition of six properties at the Planning and Development Committee. These properties proved unsafe eyesores that could bring vermin and crime to neighborhoods. The full board unanimously approved demolition 27-0.
County Board participation in union negotiations: During new business, I raised the issue of failing to include the County Board input and oversight in union negotiations. I urged the administration to immediately include County Board representation at negotiations. Mr. Ray Wesley, Chair of the Personnel Committee, agreed.
Philip W. Chapman
County Board District 3
Thanksgiving is a time to be loving, spend time with family and close friends, and above all a time to be truly thankful. This year I was allowed seeing what it means to be thankful and appreciative of the family as a whole and to see how so many don’t take the opportunity to appreciate each other. Our cities, schools, state, and country have seen hatred and a lack of love and kindness nationwide. Families are spending less time building memories through vacations and family fun nights. These spaces are now loaded and occupied with texting and Facebook moments.
As we know, it takes a committed group of people to assist in building a community. Realizing that a community is driven by the various supports, I decided to partner with Deliverance Temple, Harrison funeral home, and Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House to collectively come together to make a difference in the lives for as many as we possibly can this Thanksgiving holiday.
Given the commitment levels of our partners, I felt that this could also be a perfect opportunity for each of us personally beyond our place of employment or local church to make this holiday more bright for a needy family. Thus, I created this challenge to raise an additional 100 turkeys to go to residents of this city.
To make this Turkey Challenge successful, we are asking each person to add a turkey or so to their list of items as you prepare for your family feast. Many organizations will give away turkeys, and that is awesome; however, we often forget some don’t have electricity, knowledge how to cook a turkey or a working oven. Our partnerships will grant Kayla and me the opportunity to smoke 50 turkeys the week of Thanksgiving to be given out at 4 p.m. Nov. 23 at 1125 E. Sixth St. right here in Alton.
Please help us in this challenge as we change the lives for so many. God bless you all!
My contact info is (618) 223-4211 and Ariel Stewart, (618) 917-0816. If they want to donate a turkey we need it no later than 5 p.m. Nov. 20. They can drop it off at 1125 East Sixth any time before then on Thursday, Nov. 16, between the times of 9-11 a.m. or 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19.
Jason Harrison
Alton
America, The Shining City on The Hill, as the late President Reagan described it, may it always be! America, a country which at the end of World War II could have controlled the world had it not been for what it is ... America! Europe lay in ruins, Russia had lost 6 million people, Germany was totally defeated and their country destroyed, Japan had felt the devastating power of America. America’s homeland had not been touched outside of Pearl Harbor; she alone had the only atomic weapon, and had showed the world that it would be used again if attacked. Our manufacturing base and infrastructure were intact!
Our enemies then and now know that she cannot be destroyed from without, only from within. All great civilizations from the time of the Greeks and Romans until now have lasted between 200 and 300 years. We are 241 years old now. America is being destroyed not by marching armies but by an idea: political correctness! This has replaced the Ten Commandments as our guidelines on how to live. It tells us not to judge but to understand, and you do this by the liberal rules they have put in place. This philosophy has entered into every facet of our society: churches, politics, military, workplace, and the biggest is our news media. If their liberal rules and narratives are opposed, the opposer is met with a litany of insulting words and made an example of. It will only get worse ... watch for it because it’s ... working!
Garland Horn
Granite City
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