Opinions...

Comments to the Tallassee Times

Downtown Sports Grill (6-30-09)

I think a Sports Bar and Grill in downtown is a great idea! Tallassee needs a nice place where adults can go and have a drink.
Other cities are breathing new life into their downtowns by opening restaurants and taverns. It's time Tallassee did the same. We have a beautiful downtown area that is dying.

Tallassee is doing a good job of attracting industry to our town. If you want the workers to settle here then you must provide them entertainment, such as shops, restaurants and bars . This is what people want. As far as the churches go, if your religious beliefs forbid drinking or dancing, then don't go there. Adults have the right to decide for themselves. The idea of drunks harming the little girls coming out of the dance studio is ludicrous and nothing but a scare tactic, in a poor attempt to force others to believe as they do.

Personally, even though I don't keep up with sports, I am looking forward having a place where my wife and I can go and have a drink and listen to music. I hope the idea catches on and our downtown comes alive much like Montgomery's alleyway project .

By the way, I own a home on John street so this will be in my backyard - Glenn Dean

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Downtown Sports Grill (6-30-09)

While I respect the opinions of others, some of the older Tallassee residents need to pull their head out of the 19th century. Tallassee needs a place where adults can go and enjoy themselves responsibly and have a drink should they desire. The state and the country allow the drinking of alcohol if a person is over 21, who are you to judge? This town has always had problems with the older residents not willing to change, and that’s the reason why our younger residents “get out as soon as they can” and why we have nothing to offer young, intelligent couples who might be interested in moving to this area. Whether it was the discussion of bringing a larger Wal-Mart to town (the one we have is laughable at best, an embarrassment to the enormous potential we have at worst) to the addition of restaurants that serve liquor, the older folks always have their way. If this city doesn’t want to become a ghost-town full of retired baby-boomers, we need to get off this anti-drinking and anti-change crusade. I am a responsible adult, and would love to be able to have supper and a drink in my own town, as opposed to driving to Montgomery or Auburn. Many people in my age group would love to do the same.

As for the remark about “bar city” you have to be insane to think any business is going to crop up just because one business is there… Businessmen look at whether they would be able to make money to have two competing businesses within a certain area, and while there is enough demand for one restaurant, there wouldn’t be enough for two. Tallassee’s outdated laws regarding the proximity of an alcohol serving establishment near a church make downtown the only area in which this proposed restaurant could be viable. I’m sorry, but what’s that law there for again? I mean, I thought if you were going to church and your particular denomination calls for no drinking, wouldn’t you be a hypocrite to go drink? Why would it matter if the bar was across the street or 10 miles away?

Regarding security, crime happens. It happens everywhere, including our small town. Mr. Stuckey has always been a proponent of responsible action, and has even served on the VFD here in town. I believe I would trust him to make the correct calls should there arise a problem within the Sports Grill. After all, one of the benefits of being right there downtown is the police station right across the road. They could be there very fast should a situation occur.

I’m calling for people to be responsible for themselves. We already have a nanny-state heading into socialism now in our federal government. Do we really need to be telling others they can’t do something? If YOU don’t want to go, DON’T GO! But as for me? I will frequent Mr. Stuckey’s establishment responsibly and do my part to help Tallassee’s economy - Sarah A. Cobb

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Downtown Sports Grill (6-30-09)

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and I respect that. I am not trying to open a business that will kill the downtown area. Why did I pick downtown? Simple...there are no other suitable locations in Tallassee. Downtown is withering away and could be such a beautiful place, someone needed to step up and make something happen downtown. I addressed the issues of security last night. There is no need of security but safety as everyone has stressed is a concern. Why not stay on the side of caution and protect before a problem arises than sit back and wait for something to happen unprepared. I fully agree that if the business creates problems or breaks the law I should be shut down. I'm not here to break the smalltown spirit of Tallassee. I have lived here for 20 years and hope to live here 20 more, but living in the past and not growing with the times is constantly causing people to move away, shop elsewhere, and grow bored of Tallassee. Eclectic has Cactus Grill and The Pub. Wetumpka has Coaches Corner and Dakotas. Franklin or Notasulga has the Eufaubee Club. Millbrook has Dooley's, Mulligans, and one other. Prattville has the Blue Iguana, The Pratt Pub, and Big Star Tavern. Montgomery has an even larger number as well as Auburn. Am I comparing my business to these? No, I plan to be better than all of these businesses. Many of these places cater to the younger crowd (21-30). I will be catering to anyone from 21 up. Everyone preaches to shop Tallassee first. If there is nothing here how do you expect people to spend their money here. I know of many many people who travel to Montgomery, Prattville, Millbrook, and Auburn quite often to frequent establishments similar to the one I am proposing.

Someone said that little girls may be snatched up in the alley by drunks after dance practice. Any parent who would let their children wander an alley alone in any part of any town no matter what businesses are around they should not have children.

As for the other licenses, one that I know of opened for business without proper license and was caught doing so. The ABC board will not give a license to someone who has already violated a law by doing this.

I will not stoop to the level of some people and resort to name calling and starting a rumor mill. I appreciate the effort of one person at the meeting last night who approached me in a sensible manner and just wanted to hear my side of the story. He was the first to act this way and I commend his behavior. When we were finished talking he still stood by his decision of being against my business and I don't fault him for that. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and opinions.

Lastly, times are changing. If Tallassee doesn't start to accept new ideas and new businesses we will be passed by and the city will never grow. New businesses mean more revenue. This means more money for roads, water systems, sewage, Fire, Police, Ambulance, and our great school system - Johnathan Stuckey

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Downtown Sports Grill (6-30-09)

On the subject of Tallassee having a Sports bar and grill, I will say that I would like to see Tallassee come out of the 19th Century and come into the 21st Century and try to become a little more progressive in its attempts to grow into a more attractive location for not only the citizens of Tallassee but also for possible future residents. If we stay still where we are, other cities and towns will pass us by. I realize that change comes hard for some people but I hope that this new Mayor and Council will come to understand that you cannot let a few vocal voices dictate what they do for the overall good of the city. Now, on the subject of the bar and grill, I would let the owner know up front that if any problems start happening(like letting a few old drunks hang around all the time), then his license would be revoked with no questions asked. We need to do something now or the city will dry up and blow away. In other words, I fully support the idea of a bar and grill in Tallassee - Steve Segrest

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Downtown Sports Grill (6-30-09)

I will take my stand against the proposed bar and grill in downtown Tallassee. If the City council people that are helping with this put forth the same effort in getting the Hotel back up and running, I wonder where we would be. There are one and possibly two others who have been denied alcohol license in the downtown area. They are just waiting in the wings until this is approved and they will step up and demand the same. Then, we will have "bar city" in downtown Tallassee. Also, there is a church and a school, for the mentally challenged and a children's dance studio school in a blocks distance of the proposed location. And there are possibly two businesses who will close their doors and go home, not just relocate if this bar is allowed to open. Since there is no sports bar in Tuskegee, Notasulga, Reeltown or Eclectic, here they come. This will destroy the historic downtown atmosphere we have enjoyed previous to now. Downtown is almost dead, this will liven up one place and kill all the other merchants. The council may be seeing increased revenue, but what about the trouble. Why else would he need full time security guards? I do not see anything positive here - Jim Alice Cullars

Tidbits for Life (6-30-09)

In "Tidbits for Life" you said: Get yourself a good dog. They'll be loyal 'til the end. Don't get a yapper. If you mess up and get one that barks at its own breath, buy it a muzzle (and breath mints).

Horse biscuits! If your child cries/talks do you put a muzzle on their mouth? No? Our dogs are our children and they too must have an opportunity to express themselves. I have an eleven year old minpin and she has a lot on her mind - Bob O'Daniel

DYB Softball (6-23-09)

It was good to see the support for the 10-12 year old girls Friday and especially Saturday night in Montgomery. A lot of people were there to cheer for the girls even if they did not have a child/family member playing. The girls and coaches have worked really hard and it is showing on the field. GO TIGERS! - Stacy Roberts

Coach Terrell Brown - New Soccer Coach (6-23-09)

Tallassee is lucky to have him. He is a hard worker and great with kids. My son attends TES and Coach Brown helped my son make the transition from home all day to at school most of the day, for that I am grateful and hope the Tallassee School System realizes what a great person they have in Coach Brown - Keith Chambers

Saturday Tradition (6-23-09)

If you think about it if this is your hobby and you spend 10 per week on yard sale items that you don't use or really even need thats $520.00 per year. That almost covers a house payment or car payment? groceries for several months, etc. Listen to Dave Ramsey...he can help you realize where that money can be used!!!! Think about it! - Melissa Hill

Pre-Season Fun (6-16-09)

My wife tells me that, among other things, I should not be so emotional about Auburn Football. I guess she is right, but it gives me knot in the stomach when alabama wins. I guess it goes back to growing up and living besides an obnoxious Alabama fan for years while we were being drilled by them. It would be fine for me if Alabama was 0 – 13 every time we played them. War Eagle! - Wayne Pressley

Hotel Tour (6-16-09)

I enjoyed Michael Butler’s article on “Hotel Tour.” I would have enjoyed it more if he could have told me it was filled with guests. I’m not a native Alabaman, but moved here two years ago after retiring from the Air Force. Throughout the years while in the Air Force my family and I were able to visit Tallassee before permanently moving here. We always found ourselves driving over to Tallassee for a quick buffet meal at Hotel Talisi.

We sure do miss it, and we hope Mr. Butler is right….”build it and they will come!” Yes, it will take some time, but it doesn’t hurt to start planning - Tony Buenge

Ansley Doing Well as a Hawk (6-16-09)

GREAT article on Derrick. I think he is a great testament for what's out there for kids that can use the numerous positives of athletics ......That kid is gonna go where ever he wants in the future. That was very cool about not going to bama because of his wife. What a good man he turned out to be! Well written - Mark Baynes

Clayton's Camp (6-9-09)

I think Adam has really got it going now. I think you have to build the program from the ground BACK up. Maybe a coaches clinic put on by Adam will also be good. That will help the coaches better understand what he wants them to be teaching, so he doesn't have to reteach that when they get to the high school level. My opinion is that ALL coaches must attend to coach. This may be already happening. Can't hardly wait for the season to come back around.

Keep up the Good work Clayton - Steven Suggs

Iron Bowl (6-9-09)

Just listen to the scores being announced at your arch rivals stadium; cheers if they are losing and boos if they are ahead. I can't wait for football season - Les Perault

WTLS 55th Anniversary (6-2-09)

CONGRATULATIONS on 55+ years on the air. The anniversary show was great. I learned a lot about WTLS and Tallassee that morning. I was around for the 50th, but was not really a Tallassee-an at the time.. still a commuter - Michael Bird

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