Keokuk council addresses beer garden noise concerns

" Now this is exactly why Keokuk is never going to be a thriving metropolis. You elect pea-brained officials and ultra conservative men and woman to run the town, and this is what is going to happen every time. If Larry Roberts were to open his beer garden with, say, Dolly Parton or Billy Ray Cyrus, there would have been no complaints. In fact, given such a "western" appeal, the officials of Keokuk would have fully supported such an endeavor. Wise up, Keokukian officials, just because the word WEST exists within MIDWEST does not make us a western town.
I hear the city is spending thousands of dollars repairing slides and renovating the exteriors of run-down businesses and it's just to a point where someone has to revolt and say, "What are you doing with my tax money, people?"
If you want a city to thrive, SUPPORT fun activities. Young people like to drink and have a good time. The demographic is astounding. The beer garden would not only promote a good time in Iowa, but it would increase the business of local taxi drivers and would even possibly bring other bar operators into the area.
Quit spending money fixing stuff that doesn't need fixing. This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard and I am deeply sorry that Larry Roberts has to deal with this.
I have lived in or around Keokuk my entire life, and I say with utter certainty that is time for local revolution. "

" All I would like to ask the City Council is if everyone trying to build a beer garden in keokuk has the same rules and regulations? I personally know Larry Roberts and I know for a fact he had plans way before the Hawkeye ever did for a beer garden. Actually I am thinking the owner of the Hawkeye found out about Larry's beer garden and suprise, suprise now the Hawkeye has one. It is up and running and there seems to not of been any problems for the Hawkeye beer garden construction. Well I am sorry but what they are doing to Larry is a bunch of crap and it shows what kind of people are running our city, shame on them!!! "

" i would like to shed some light on the comment about proper bracing of the beer garden wall...i have been there from the beginning. Simply put, the city stood by for far too long and let those buildings completely crumble. its happenning right now to the 2 vacant buildings sitting next door. we looked into bracing but the bricks on the inside would turn to dust with the slightest touch. when Larry bought them they had no roof because it was on the first floor and the first floor was resting peacefully in the basement. i am all about classic arcitecture and was deeply saddend when we werent able to save the building fronts (we would have saved a dumpload of money). with current building material prices it simply would have been a poor investment to try and salvage. stop by and look at the wall on 1114 main and you will see what i mean by crumbling bricks................... Viva La Beer Garden "

" Thanks for your very well-reasoned and thoughtful post. If there were more such posts on this site, it would be an even bigger community service.

I do have one quibble. You state that the contractors did their best to salvage the building front. As I drove by the site during demolition, I saw too few supports in place in order to maintain the false front. And as it turns out, the front did not survive. IMHO.

Did you see something different? "

" Most people do not realize that this beer garden has been an uphill battle with the city from day one. Larry bought the buildings and was told there would be no problems tearing the buildings down, building the new fake storefront and opening his beer garden. First of all this has been in the works for over two years. It was not done because of the smoking ban. L-Treyns is doing great even with the smoking ban in place. The people who smoke go outside to do it; the transition to a non-smoking bar was an easy one.

After purchasing the buildings there was a big to-do about asbestos. The city said that no one would be able to get in the building "safely" because the first story had fallen in the basement the second into the first. So they just assumed it had asbestos. Why a building would be allowed to sit on Main Street in that condition for years is beyond me. They were trying to tell him it would cost thousands of dollars, in the-40-50 thousand range, as he would have to have a special contractor come in and tear it down "assuming' it had asbestos in it. Well Larry found a contractor who was willing to go into the building and inspect it...and guess what -no asbestos.

All through this Mayor Gudgel was a great supporter, encouraging Larry to invest back into his business and the city of Keokuk. The Director of Main St Keokuk, Joyce Glasscock, was adamant that they wanted Larry to keep the existing fronts of the old buildings. But the buildings were in such poor shape that despite their best efforts the contractor was unable to save them. When Joyce Glasscock drove by and saw this she was irate, asking the contractors why they tore the building front down. He later called Joyce Glasscock and told her that even though he was unable to save the existing fronts that he would be keeping the antique look of a majority of the buildings on Main St. Ms. Glasscock had an architect draw up a few sketches of what they envisioned for Keokuk. They were great, a huge fake front 2 stories high with a stairwell, balcony and little windows that people could see onto Main St. and Iron gates in the doorway opening. The only problem is it would have cost a hundred thousand dollars just for a fake storefront. So he called Joyce Glasscock, and told her they were great but not what he envisioned for his business, he told her that he wanted to go with a railroad theme as his business is called L-Treyns and that the railroad is a big part of the history of Keokuk. He was told that it wasn't in keeping with Keokuk's history. Really? The railroad isn't part of the history of Keokuk? So that put a strike against him, thinking for himself, and what he wanted for his business.
He then went to the city council and took blueprints of the project to show them. He explained what the beer garden would be used for, that he was thinking about having a band once a month. That he envisioned a volleyball court for tournaments, and that this beer garden would be a good draw for the city of Keokuk. The City Council supported Larry’s project 110 %. He then sent supply lists to Mark Wessel and Pam Broomhall. He was in constant communication with the Mayor and Tom Crew about the Beer Garden.

As it came time to build, the Fire Chief decided that he now needed a Stamp by an architect on his blueprints before the wall was built. The building you see going up right now is just a wall, behind it is nothing. It will be a stage, but it is what is called a "fake store front". This caused several delays finding an architect at this busy time of year to "stamp" the project. Well, come to find out another similar project was being done in Keokuk at the same time and no stamp was needed even though this project has a full roof and four walls. I guess sometimes certain rules only apply to certain people in this town. So, all of a sudden no stamp was needed when this was brought to the Fire Chiefs attention.

So the concrete was poured, the front wall was taking shape and construction was going along smoothly. Larry called Mayor Gudgel to share with him that he was in negotiations to book Afroman, a black recording artist, to open the beer garden and as the time came closer he would be asking the city to extend the noise ordinance time by an hour or so. The next day Tom Crew showed up on the construction site and told Larry that he would be shut down for the first noise complaint that the police department received. That is why Larry went to the city council workshop again and asked if the city was supporting his expansion. You can read in the article that the city council still supported his decision. In fact they were a little confused as to why he was again at the workshop, since he had already been there and discussed the beer garden with them and had cooperated fully with both Mark Wessel and Pam Broomhall.

Also, it seems the that city hall in their quest to stop the beer gardens grand opening decided to hold L-Treyns outdoor liquor license. Larry applied for the license through the state and it was sent to the council who voted yes on August 7th. The same time it approved the license for Rolling on the River. But Larry has never received his outdoor license; the state had no record of receiving the approval from the city council. So yesterday he called and asked Mayor Gudgel if he knew anything about his liquor license and was told no and asked if the paperwork was filled out right and that nothing concerning the liquor license had come across his desk. So he then went to city hall and asked for the minutes from the August 7th council meeting. Of course in black and white was the vote for approval with Gudgel’s signature on the minutes. The mayor’s secretary said that the Mayor was having her mail it off right now. Now why would they hold Larry’s outdoor liquor license and not send it into the state? Rolling on the River has come and gone, and we know they had their liquor license. So why send it and the renewals for other bars to the state, but leave L-Treyns out?

Well, the word around Keokuk is that Mayor Gudgel changed his tune when Larry told him Afroman would be coming to open the Beer Garden. It seems the city officials are in an uproar about an appearance by Afroman. Which is kind of hard to understand, since Larry told Mr. Gudgel that he would be hiring off duty police officers and have additional security. So this wouldn’t be a drain on the city in anyway. In fact it would be a boost for Keokuk’s economy, people have to eat when they are here and people from out of town stay in a hotel.

Yesterday, Larry also received a call from Pam Broomhall letting him know that he needed to have his contractor come and cut 12 inches or so off the completed roof of the new wall. Telling him that it extended out to far on the city’s right off way.
But if you look at the existing buildings on the 1100 block they all have eaves that extend from the roofs. The roof of the new wall does not extend further than those eaves. So Larry and his bar manager went to city hall to discuss this with Ms. Broomhall. As soon as they walked in her office and she got off the phone she said….”yes sir” in a condescending way. She was rude and unprofessional, raising her voice several times and interrupting Larry as he was trying to speak. She slammed her codebook down, flipped it open, turned it around and started reading the codes using her finger as a guide. So, not wanting to endure being treated like small children any longer Larry asked for a copy of the code. She said that she would mail him one. Larry told her he would rather have one now, and was told that he could get one if the secretary wasn’t busy. I guess I do not understand where the hatefulness if coming from. Is the codebook top secret, for Ms. Broomhalls eyes only? Is being rude and hateful part of a code enforcer’s job description? So now Larry has to again go back to the council and fight to keep from having to saw part of the roof off. I guess time will tell what will cause the next delay.

So, this is what you will endure if you decide to expand your business in the city of Keokuk. With all the empty run down buildings on Main St. you would think that the city officials from the Mayor, Code Enforcement Officer, Fire Chief, Police Chief and the Director of Main St Keokuk, would be glad to see something nice take the place of what once was an eyesore. But then again maybe not, if it is what you envision and not them. "

" " I highly doubt that Mr.Matlick at the Hawkeye went through the same scrutiny and harrasmant that Larry Roberts is going through at L-Treyns for his beer garden. It is really sad to say in order to make something of yourself in this town you have to be part of the "Good Ol Boys Club." I look at towns like Mt.Pleasant with the beautiful downtown district..and then I look at ours and it makes me sick. Larry is actually investing into downtown Keokuk..which has been so important to Mayor Gudgel and the city council according to the Daily Gate city, and he is getting investigation after investigation, surprise visits from the police chief, and for a lack of better words harrased by the city council. This is nothing more than blatant hipocracy. I don't see anyone writing any nasty comments about the beer garden at the hawkeye..I see nothing about dead beat dads and sin here. Honestly to hear what Larry has been going though makes me sick. " "

" Regarding Rocket ship park, $12,000. are you freaking kidding me? ( now that's corruption! ) "

" I agree with the downtown Keokuk noise. If you live in the downtown area, you should expect noise. Do you ever hear the cars and motorcycles race up and down main street?!?! They go at it all times of the evening. No one complains about that or about TJ's kareoke on Wednesday nights or their loud noisy bands on the weekends. People live downtown there too!

L-Treyn's is helping the community by investing in our community and took down old run down buildings and will make a beautiful addition to Main Street. If you drive up and down downtown main street there are old empty, run down buildings on every block - at least 1 on each block. We NEED more people to invest in Keokuk and shop Keokuk so those business owners can continue their businesses and continue to invest in our community.

Think of solutions not just speak your mind and complain about things - find a solution or idea and share it! There are several local orginizations that want to make Keokuk a great place to live, work, and play. Let's take action, volunteer, and support our community! "

" It has come to me that keokuk is a sinking ship and if you were smart you would take your companys to a different city.Most citys have a beer garden and have no problems. The Simple minded people of keokuk and they know who they are just want to have there hands in the pott or be in total charge run why you can before they suck you in. Getting away was the best thing that could of happened. "

" Well let me start off by saying I support Larry's beer garden 110%. I was born in Keokuk and loved the town until there were no opportunities left or anything to do. I moved to Minnesota when I was a teenager and absolutly loved it. This is where I made my home. Now that I am old enough to be at the bar, every time I go back to Keokuk to visit I go to Larry's bar! The people there are the best people ever. They don't judge you or make you feel like an outcast. It's not just a bar for 21 to 25 year olds. I have seen a WIDE variety of ages in that bar many many times. I think maybe everyone should visit the bar at least once. If you were to go out in downtown Minneapolis you would see almost every bar have an outside beer garden. The noise ordinance is 2am here so whats the problem with having a 12am noise ordinance once or twice a month?

For young adults Keokuk is not the place to live or try to raise a family. My family left because of the decreasing population and the availability of good jobs. Larry is trying to make his community a better place to live and play. I see it like this opinions are like assholes everyone has them!!! Larry WILL be a very successful man, weather it be in Keokuk or where ever he decides to take his business next since the city of Keokuk don't seem to want it.

Larry even though Im 400 miles away I will support you in any way I can!!! "

" she owes....just not the back. You need to get your facts correct. "

" well I was thinking of opening up a new/used clothing and book business on Main down in the 500 block but after seeing the troubles discussed above---FORGET IT! I'm more likelyl to go to hamilton which is defiinitely cheaper and more business friendly. Who needs the hassle of the police chief breathing down my neck if some of my books accidently contain whatever Mr Crew might find objectionable? Too bad the city of Keokuk doesn't have a handle on its police dept...never has. "

" cleary the person that made the comment about little black dress is a mean individual looking to bash the owner of little black dress for some reason or another. i think her store is a wonderful asset to this community. the way the store looks and the lines that she carries show that she knows what she is doing and is very good at it, things that i used to have to go to chicago for are now here in KEOKUK!!

as for the beer gardens the people complaining about them are obviously bored and need something to do. "

" in reference to majority wants it's comment - you should really have your facts straight before you attempt to talk badly about the owner of little black dress. i know for a fact that the only mistake & "mess" made was that it was named after natasha wilson rather than the actual owner. she was employed to manage that business and the reason that it closed was because the real owner had too many irons in the fire and didn't have the money to keep it going. if the person who wrote that comment had any sense they would know that a person can't just up and leave one business and it's debts then go open another one, especially when that person receives lending from banks & grants, most people know that you can't run away from debt and if you do it makes it harder to get funding of any form.

i am a frequent customer of little black dress and i personally think that the store is fabulous and a great example of what keokuk needs in it's downtown.

it's really pathetic that an article about beer gardens was used to talk badly about someone, don't you think we should all be adults and not start gossip about things we don't have a clue about? "

" What events would be acceptable besides rollin' on the river? I mean everyone is so judgmental, they don't want to hear noise. We have other events. Civil War.... Fireworks, Things at the grand, chili cook-off. There are many things we do have. Maybe you should come up with some suggestions of what we should have instead of complaining about what we have. "

" GUYS DON'T WORRY; we has a rocket slide. "

" I don't care either way about the beer garden cause I don't go to bars and don't live near L-Treyns. So, whatever floats their boats. Although I'd like to point out that the few times I've been dragged to one, I've seen just as many dead beat moms as dead beat dads. I think it's an equal opportunity bar.

The point I wanted to make was about the rocket slide. Twelve thousand dollars to repair a slide?! That's moronic! I can think of a million better ways to spend that money. Here's a couple: actual kid equipment in the Kiddy Land part of Rand Park. There's not many toddler friendly things there and usually the tubes have dog poop or some other yuckiness in or around them. Remember that cute little elephant slide? How about something like that? And all that people do with that Rocket Slide is find more places to graffiti. How about a small pond or fountain? How about tetherball? How about a slide that doesn't burn the back of your legs when it sits in the sun all day? Twelve thousand dollars?! That's more than a dollar for every person that lives in this town... geesh!

Oh, and lastly- I agree with whomever said Keokuk needs more events than Rollin on the River. "

" It isn't how many are for or against it, it's WHO is for or against it. There will always be uptight people in the world who want to interfere with other people's business instead of living and letting live. It's unfortunate that many of the people in power in this town seem to fall into that category.

Why are we worried about a little extra noise on Main Street once in a while? Do people with homes near Main Street seriously expect their neighborhood to be *quiet*? That's like buying a house next door to a factory, and then complaining about the noise and the smell.

I live in a "quiet" part of town, but I have neighbors who, on rare occasions, will party noisily until midnight or later. Do I whine about it to the cops? No! Why would I do that?! It isn't every night or even every weekend. I can put up with a little disturbance if it means my neighbors are happy instead of angry. Too many people think the whole world should revolve around themselves and their teeny little minds. "

" I don't see the majority of people complaining about the garden. I see few complaining on here, and those people are closed minded hypocrites. And as for mentioning Little Black Dress's business, you clearly don't know the damage she left behind in her mall venture. Not a good example! "

" When will Keokuk's citizens ever get over their "Us versus Them" attitude?!?!? Run for office and make life tough on the well to do in Keokuk?!?!!? No one gets a fair shake unless they live on Grand Avenue!!?!?! Blame the Mayor because of Keokuk's declining population?!?! These are solutions?!?! Give me a break. Let's get real here and then look at the issue at hand.

If someone were to ask me what Keokuk needs for revitilization to happen one of my first anwsers would be that we need more examples of Larry Roberts. Meaning young entrepreneurs migrating to Keokuk that are willing to invest in their businesses as well as the community. As a result of having these young professionals creating small businesses in Keokuk you have first time home buyers creating new families therefore increasing our population. The positive is that we are already seeing such examples in L-Treyn's, Little Black Dress, Streeter's, Kraus & Sons, etc. We're also seeing these young professionals beginning to organize with the creation of Keokuk Y-NET which is also a positive.

By all accounts the Mayor and the Council understand this and to the best of my knowledge supported and continue to support Larry's beer garden addition. Larry's concerns, which are warranted, is that he will invest his money towards this project only to have the Council not allow him an extension of time on the noise ordinance (from 10pm to midnight) as well as a concern that Chief Crew will enforce the noise ordinance substantially during special events (live entertainment) i.e. shutting down the entertainment on every complaint received.

The Council's concerns, which are also warranted, seem to evovle around how the beer garden will effect residents living in the vicinity. While supporting the addition of a beer garden the Council it seems wants Larry to be aware of the factors that could or could not come into play when enforcing the city's noise ordinances once he starts having live entertainment.

First Larry needs understand that the City is not against him. In moving forward he should make sure that surrounding residents are aware of his plans for entertainment and how it could impact them. He should also ensure that he has satisified city officals the best he can. Which means making sure that he has contacted Chief Wessel and Pam Bromhall for building concerns,codes, occupancy rates, etc. He should also come before the Council when he plans his first 'event' for discussion so that everyone is on the same page. The Council needs to allow Larry an opportunity to attempt live entertainment but only if Larry understands the ramifications if problems occur due to public complaints of essesive noise.

Both parties need to work together as this could be a real positive for the community as we are lacking venues for live entertainment. I ask that you be part of the solution and not part of the problem. Have you considered moving back to Keokuk and investing in it's future? The sooner we stop thinking in "Us vs. Them" and start thinking and working as one community the quicker it will make a turn for the better which is something we all want. "

" I live in Keokuk, have all my life. I remember when I was little boy i looked forward to all the upcoming events that the "great" town of Keokuk had lined up ie. the street-fair, puck-a-she-tuck etc. ,slowly but surely as the years have gone on more and more people have complained enough or quit fighting hard enough and all the fun has vanished from this town. Larry Roberts, my good friend and my employer has came up with an idea for classy outdoor events and the Police Chief decided to stop by the other day and express his displeasure towards the beer garden, informing us that he would be shutting us down if he had even one complaint (that changed later that night at the city council meeting), he was deadset against it. Sometime back, the council was all for it, they looked at the designs and seemed to be all for it. For some reason, a majority of the council is afraid of the police chief and as soon as he started whining about it, severel of them changed thier tune. I thought the mayor was in charge, he was my friend once, but then he turned into a liar. Mr. Police Chief mustv'e scared him into an opinion. Lets all try and say what we think and not what we are bullied into saying. Im curious as to why the Mayor and council are afraid of the very many they appointed??? Ive said tooo much allready, except that Larry and I will both be running for office, maybe even mayor, then we will see. The place i work will be an excellent place to run a campaign, i see thousands of people a month. I have to go now, I have a rocket slide fund-raiser coming up in The Beer Garden i have to plan out. Thats if we can round-up all the deabeat, tatoo having, alcohol drinking, devil music listening folks to come out, yet again, and help us raise some money!!! "

" Man you people need to relax! I cannot believe the arguing and negativity about everything little thing people! It seems to me this is a positive article. Larry Roberts was smart to speak to the council first before spending money. As for bashing the council and the mayor, why would you find it surprising and negative that Mayor Gudgel would express his concerns if Roberts obviously thought of those problems as something that could arise himself. Other wise he wouldn't have asked for the meeting. And regardless in the end they all decided in his favor. This whole "they dont care about you unless you live on Grand Ave" or are "well to do" is just rambling non sense of someone not happy in their own life. My parents own a business on Main Street and they don't live on Grand Ave and they feel very highly of the mayor and have no qualms with him. If you are unhappy with your own life quit complaining that your public officials don't care about you and do something on your own to fix it. Why is it their responsibility? I am sure if you spend one week in Mayor Gudgel's shoes, you would see that enormity of his position along with the other council members and realize "Hey, maybe the world really doesn't revolve around me".

As for the people complaining about the noise, evil "drinkers" and music, you need a serious wake up call. I don't even hang out at L-Trains much (how ever you spell it) when I come home, but to call bars places for dead beat dads, alcoholics, and to stereo type their patrons is very single minded and biased. Sure there are some losers (male and female) that are crappy parents and there will always be alcoholics, but the majority of the people at the Keokuk establishments (most of them) are good normal people. Whenever I come home I usually go out for a drink or 2 with my friends or family and I am certainly not an alcoholic or bad mother. Bars do not make people bad parents, they do that on their own. Bars do not make people alcoholics, most of them probably sit at home and drink. I am not saying that these type of people don't frequent bars, but their not made by them. I go to the bar, to socialize, visit with my friends, have a good time and someone else drives me home. That is the story with 99% of Keokuk's bar patrons. And besides, why are you going on saying "like we need another bar"? It's not another one, their just adding on a outdoor area to an existing one. Thats what bars in 90% of the country have, it's nice. As for the "evil" music, you sound like a Kevin Bacon movie. A bad one.

I think all of the people complaining are just bored with their lives, the type that always have something to say about everything, and blame others that they view as more fortunate than them for all their problems instead of taking care of themselves. I am sure you fit into some kind of catagory, be it poor or rich, white or black or any where in between, any and all of the above. If you don't want people to discriminate against you, don't you do it to them.

Mr. Roberts: Good Luck with your beer garden. "

" I think that the beer garden is a wonderful idea! Every idea that Larry has for his beer garden will better Keokuk!! Some of the bands that he will host are those of Keokuk! Its a chance for the residents of Keokuk to be heard without having to go out of town for a set up. I know that a lot of people have a problem with the noise issue, but seriously I live on North 13th and I get woke up almost every night due to the ambulances or fire trucks! If a band plays till 11:30 on a weekend I don't see the problem! No place in town has ever tried to better itself to better Keokuk! Larry tore down those two ugly run-down buildings and is replacing it with a beautiful multi-fuctional beer garden! There is a privacy fence in back and a privacy wall in the front that makes Main Street look soooo much better! The politicians of Keokuk should take notes from Larry on how to change the face of Keokuk and make it a better place!
People might actually want to live here if there is something fun to do on their time off like play volleyball, watch the UFC fights, listen to a nice band, and maybe have a drink or two!
If you don't like the idea .... well I don't know... how bout you.... DON'T FLIPPIN GO!!
Larry does everything in L-treyns to better his business!
Larry does everything for his kids!
Hence the fact that L-(Trey)ns = his son Trey and the new outside bar in the beer garden is going to be Brooklyn Depot = his daughter Brooklyn!!
He's not the selfish person you are trying to make him out to be..... "

" Dave is a typical mayor afraid to make a decision. To bad for Larry who is trying to make a living for himself. Larry will never get a fair shake because he doesn't live on "GRAND AVENUE". Politics as usual in Keokuk. I do not live in Keokuk anymore but I know Larry and he is a good business man, great father, and soon to be one of the richest men in Keokuk. Run for office Larry and make life tough on the "WELL TO DO IN KEOKUK" as they have done to you. Keokuk might be a great place to live if someone like Larry Roberts were in charge. Every year the population decreases because of the lack of leadership coming from mayors office. So Larry build your beer garden. Make a ton of money. And when the mayor is up for re/elect donate some money to the other candidates. "

" I think its a great idea I can drink a lot more whiskey and beer outside that fresh air keeps your head clearer so you can drink twice as much befiore you start falling down or passing out .Its a lot better for yelling and screaming too, the noise gets out better with no walls and you dont have to keep your screams down to keep from hurting some one next to you ear drums .You can really whale out side .If you get drunk and spill your beer on people it drys faster .Plus if you get sick you can always find a trash can or out of the way corner to throw up in and it doesnt get so smelly and stuffy like it does inside a building. Man I cant wait PARTY DOWN IN THE TIOWN Lets have a screamin good time and do some body surfing PARTY TIL YOU PUKE "

" It amazes me how people are objecting to the small amount of noise that might come from an outdoor entertainment area on weekends. Stand on Maim street any night of the week and listen to what is coming from the cars 2 or 3 blocks away. As I see it, if there actually is a noise ordinance in Keokuk, it is simply one of those laws that look good on an ordinance list but was never meant to be enforced. "

" Ok, I forgot about the food aspect.

As far as the beer garden goes, who cares, it's their property let them do what they want, there still in an enclosed area, just no roof. I can't imagine there being that much noise to bother to many people downtown.
The traffic on main is probably louder. "

" Not exactly. If the bar serves food other than prepackaged food, like for example how Chintz's serves food, then for purposes of this law they are considered a restaurant and not a bar and they could not allow smoking in a beer garden if they had one. But if a bar just sells prepackaged food, like chips, frozen pizzas, etc., then they can allow smoking in a beer garden. "

" Correct me if I am wrong, but my understanding of the way the Iowa smoking ban reads is that a beer garden at a bar is still considered part of the bar and therefore falls under the smoking ban.

Is this true or not? "

" Wow, it appears that when I drive down Main Street, that I see as many women in the bars (or outside having a smoke) as there are men, if not more. And not everyone that has a drink is a drunk driver, woman beater or deadbeat dad. Larry is a good guy and is willing to do this beer garden legally, within the limits of the law. For you naysayers, perhaps you should try a night out to see what really goes on, BEFORE you condemn it. I am not a smoker (anymore) or a drinker, but have occassionally been out for a drink, i have NEVER beat anyone, drove intoxicated or left the support of my children to the community.
Would you prefer they drink illegally? And this beer garden isnt going to draw out more people or cause more deadbeat dads, drunks or abusers, it is just creating a venue to accommodate all people. Music is good for the soul. You go Larry!! "

" Didn't anyone teach you that people who live in glass houses should not throw stones? I am guessing you aren't as perfect as you are trying to appear.

It's pretty obvious you don't get out much. Otherwise you would realize that most of the people at bars are young adults. In the 21-25 year old range. Oh wait, you did say they were young men. I like how you assume you know ALL of these people and you know, for a fact, that they go home and beat their families and have "illegitimate children." These are young adults, who most don't have children or a marriage to think about.

I am guessing you don't listen to much new music, if you think the songs are all about sinning and the devil. The music today is no worse than it was way back when, it just has a different beat. Also drinking and driving is illegal, so you can't say that all these people are driving home drunk. I am sure that there are a few, however most people do have a designated driver or rely on a taxi. I know whenever we go out with our friends, we always appoint the designated driver first. Isn't it amazing that people can have fun and still be responsible?!?!?!?

I find it ironic people are complaining about the noise. I am guessing the bar owner is partly putting in the beer garden to accomodate smokers. So had the government not passed the no smoking inside public places law, which by the way is unconstitutional, there would be no reason for an outdoor beer garden. QUIT COMPLAINING, other people have rights, regardless if you want them to or not. How could you live in the business area and not expect noise? You should move if it is that bothersome.

Kudos to fixing the rocket slide. Sometimes history is worth the money! "

" Where I went to college, I lived 4 blocks from the mainstreet where most of the bars were located. You had noisy drunks walking past at 2AM and other typical nose, but it was only on weekends, and lets face it, this isn't a college town with a 6 bars jammed packed with drunk college students. Wer'e talking 1 bar, located on the south side of the street asking for resonable noise limits at reasonable times.

If ther eis an issue with domestic violence, drunk driving, aor other illegal activities, then deal with those using existing laws and enforcement. I don't see how thsoe behaviors will be increased by adding the outdoor beer garden, as opposed to thsoe same individuals over indulging indoors or at a private residence. If anything, it will concentrate them to one location making enforcement easier.

Personally, I prefer to see outdoor areas at restaurants that serve drinks rather than just bars. Bars without a menu, do tend to draw a less desirable crowd. "

" Face it...most peoplewho go to bars have more than "one or two" beers. Most drink until they are "buzzed" which means intoxicated. Sure they may not be falling down Johnny Meister drunk but their ability to drive safely is GONE. So why do we want more people like that anywhere near the main artery through our town?

As for the dead beat dad comment made earlier...instead of drinking in a tavern, why aren't men at home with their families? I see the "type" that walks out of those places. Young men with long hair and tattoos, undoubtedly on their way home to beat up their wives or make illegitiamte babies with any number of the loose women in town. Shame shame.

I LIVE DOWNTOWN...I hear the noise that passes for music these days. It is all just devil-music and songs about sin. That is why I have started a letter writing campaign to the city council to fight this beer garden idea. So phooey to you. "

" The Rocket Slide in Kilbourne Park has been a well-known landmark in Keokuk for many, many years. I have fond memories of playing on this piece of equipment when I was in my youth. KUDOS to the Local Independent Contractor who will be fixing the slide!

That said, to cj, "What do you have against the rocket slide?" To the general population of Keokuk, how come anyone wants to do anything positive or progressive for the town, there always has to be someone who has to naysay it or nitpick about it.

As the Mother of a five year old daughter who asks everytime we drive by Kilbourne Park, "Mom, when are they going to fix the Rocket Slide, I just wanted to let the Local Independent Contractor know that there is one family in Keokuk who will be very happy when next summer their then six year old daughter is happily playing on the Rocket Slide. "

" Where do you get off calling someone who likes to enjoy a beer or two a dead beat dad? You falsely make the connection between someone who is an alcoholic and someone who enjoys a beer every now and then.....I guess that just goes to show what an idiot you really are. Music is a matter of choice so don't worry about what other people like to listen to..besides who will have their family on Main St. that late at night anyway? Where are the houses that will be affected by this noise? I have been at Family Video before and can't even hear the music. Next time do us all a favor and don't post one of your idiotic comments, I know we all have the right to free speech but every now and then someone comes along and makes you ponder that.....that person is you today...congrats. "

" I was just thinkin' the other day...if we had just one more place to go drink beer, that would be AWESOME! "

" I was just curious after they spend all that money what the police are going to do when some one complains about the loud evil music and dead beat dad alcoholics out side the bar.I know they have threatened the coyote bar with being to loud and the music is on the inside .I think I would want some thing in writing before I spent that kind of money to then be harassed about it .Its obvious the reason people have to be out side is because legislators ignored the constitution to pass the smoking ban .Knowing before they passed it was unconstitutional .Under the guise of health from second hand smoke in buildings. But now is in affect at open air festivities. Clearly its purpose was to victimize smokers and bars to generate revenue to the state through fines. I certainly wouldn't trust the city to ok it then pull some thing under handed in the same manner when some one complains after you build it. You certainly cant trust or believe what members of government say at any level "

" I think a beer garden would be a wonderful addition to downtown Keokuk! I wish there were more places that would host bands in a comfortable outside setting to enjoy. My husband and I normally do not go to L-Treyn's, but we sure would to see the bands rock out and for a drink! And as far as the noise goes, anyone who lives in town is going to hear noise of some sort or the other so GET OVER IT and buy a house out in the country if you don't like it! "

" Haha that is so funny that you assume only deadbeat dads like to go see a band and that the music there is evil! What, did your husband go to a bar and find someone else because you are too judgemental? Anyway my point is that my husband and I like to go see a band once in awhile (maybe once every 6 months) and have a drink. We obviously don't meet your stereotype so you better get a new one. "

" I am not sure where you get off calling the men who would be at the beer garden dead beat dads? There are plenty of dead beat mom's all over town. Did you do some research and find this to be factual, or is this just a hate comment. (I am a women and I really haven't heard such an offensive statement in a long time) Also, I assume since you clearly hate men that you have some delusion that women will not be attending the beer garden.

FYI: Most people that choose to go and listen to a band are not alcoholics. You can go enjoy a beer without being an alcoholic. And where you get off calling the music evil is beyond me; they will have all kinds of different music.

Rolling on the river is this weekend! Do you consider all the people that attend alcoholics (they do have beer there) and evil music listeners? Apparently they don’t fit into your category of "Decent People". I went to the festival last night and there were many different types of people there, county attorney, teachers, school board members, business owners, city council, lots of different people enjoying a beautiful night of music, maybe a beer, maybe a Pepsi.

You really should think before you voice such an offensive statement. You sound like a very angry person, that's sad. Life’s too short for hate. Maybe you should look into counseling to figure out what it is you are really angry about. "

" I drove by Kilbourne Park and noticed the construction fence around the rocket slide. I noticed the other slide was really
rusty, too. I did not get out and walk up and look so maybe it is not in as bad of shape as the rocket slide. I think the
whole idea of toys in the park is for the pleasure of the children. Do we really need to spend so much money on one
slide? Some things outlive their usefulness. Perhaps this is one of them. Where are we getting all this money? A couple
years ago our mayor said we waere broke.
If some people think we need to have the rocket slide, get out a convince one of the "clubs" in town to adopt the project.
I think a toilet would be a better investment. Maybe then you could take a child on a picnic. Providing , of course, there
might be a picnic table in the park. A rare commodity in this town. "

" about the noise... where I live I could hear ROLLING ON THE RIVER and that is through the noise of a factory "

" why should there be a beer garden downtown? I don't want boozy alcoholics and dead beat dads drinking where decent folks can see them. Keep your evil music and drinking indoors and to yourselves. Haven't you alcoholics caused enough trouble in Keokuk? "

" I am so happy to hear about the rocket slide. Thank You. "

" So you can roll in the River, of course! "

" if there is a liabilty at victory park for a carnival why is ROLLING ON THE RIVER being allowed there then? "