Von Lee decision held again

A tense group of citizens filed into the Monroe County Courthouse Wednesday, eager to finally put to rest an issue which had divided a community for months.\nThe group received no resolution.\nThe Alcoholic Beverages Board delayed its decision about the Von Lee alcohol permit for the second time and will reconvene to make a decision March 3. The board cited a mounting pile of statistical evidence as reason to take additional time to reflect upon the more developed arguments on either side of the case.\nThe Board must decide whether to approve the new owner of the Von Lee Theater, Jay Michener, for an alcohol permit. Michener, owner of Artemis LLC, said he intends to use the permit to establish an "upscale" bar/restaurant "similar to a Champs."\nWith the aid of his lawyer, Duane O'Neill, Michener said he believes his establishment will help develop a healthy business atmosphere on Kirkwood.\n"I believe that without injury, things decay," he said to the board, suggesting a healthy competition would force vendors to concentrate on quality.\nLynne Coyne, IU director of real estate and economic development, voiced the University's opposition to the liquor license approval on the grounds that another bar would promote student binge drinking. He also said the location across from the Sample Gates would reflect badly on IU's image.\nMcKaig said he will serve the board as a citizen on the matter, not as an employee of IU.\nThe IU Student Association spoke on behalf of students, arguing a bar next to campus would facilitate student safety.\n"I think it's silly to think one establishment will affect student drinking," said IUSA President Casey Cox. "We'd rather have students drink close to campus and various modes of transportation."\nIUSA Vice President Grant McFann said the establishment would have no negative effect.\n"The University is trying to disguise its concern for its own image as a concern for students," he said. "As a student, I hope my welfare is held in higher regard than the University's reputation."\nIn his rebuttal, O'Neill elaborated on McFann's stance.\n"Someone has realized that if we come out against this and really make hay, we don't need to concentrate on binge drinking where it really happens," he said. "And IU is probably the number one piece of real estate in the state where binge drinking occurs."\nChris Sturbaum, who heads the "Save the Von Lee" campaign, argued another bar on Kirkwood Avenue would be an unnecessary and unhealthy presence in the area.\n"Whether (the establishment is) an economic positive or an economic negative depends on whose ox is being gored," he said. "If you own one of those small restaurants on Fourth Street or one of the surrounding bars, your business is very likely to be affected."\nThe board intends for no further formal debate to occur before it renders its decision, said Dean of Students Richard McKaig, who sits on the board. \nO'Neill said the proceedings were encouraging.\n"If you view, with rationality, the issues that were presented, they favor approving our petition," O'Neill said after the hearing.\nMichener said the amount of controversy created over his intentions has surprised him.\n"I didn't buy a building," he said in his rebuttal. "What I bought was a political football."\nIf a vendor commits no violations, alcohol permits are automatically renewed each year unless a citizen wishes to protest.