Caledonia Argus

County hears opinions on Money Creek liquor issue

Posted: 4/8/03

by Jane Palen
Managing editor

The county board was to decide yesterday whether to grant a permit to allow the sale of liquor at the ìPit Stop,î a business under construction in Money Creek Township. The liquor permit has been applied for by Eleanor Coulson. (Editorís note: This issue of The Argus was printed before the county board meeting Tuesday. Please check our website at www.hometownsource.com for the decision of the county board).

Minnesota statutes require that a public hearing be held before any new off-sale license can be issued. The license Mrs. Coulson has applied for is a combination on sale/off sale license. Plans are for the ìPit Stopî to include a convenience store and bar/grill type restaurant.

There were 63 people in attendance at the public hearing held April 1 at the Houston County Courthouse. Commissioner Kevin Kelleher began the hearing by citing the Minnesota Statute which prohibits an individual convicted of a felony to hold a liquor license. Mrs. Coulsonís son, Corey, had originally intended to be the owner of the ìPit Stop,î but in the course of investigating the liquor license requirements found that he could not due to a felony conviction in his past.

Kelleherís questioned Mrs. Coulson, who is in her mid 80s, about the extent of her sonís involvement in the business. She told the board that Corey has done most of the work on the building, and that his job will be as a cook. She also stated that Corey has been advising her on various aspects of the business.

ìI find it unusual that a cook would be giving advice,î Kelleher commented.

Loren Paripovich, a family friend who appeared with Mrs, Coulson and her son, told the board that he thinks itís common practice for children to offer advice to their parents.

When Mrs. Coulson was questioned by Commissioner Larry Graf on whether she was willing to accept the responsibility of having a liquor license, she answered in the affirmative.

County Board Chair David Corcoran called first for people to speak on behalf of the liquor application.

First to speak was Patty Van Gundy, who owns a business in Money Creek township. She said she didnít want to see the issue divide the community.

ìYouíre hearing the voices of those who donít want to see the township grow,î she told commissioners, noting that Money Creek is the fastest growing township in the county.

ìThere is a need for the bar and grill and convenience food items,î said Van Gundy. The business will hire employees and bring economic growth to the township, she said.
If the applicant has met the requirements, she said, there should be no reason not to grant the license.

Next to be heard were Doug Seekamp, John Seekamp and Terry Seekamp, who told commissioners that they wanted to see the Coulsons treated fairly and for the license to be approved.

Terry Seekamp commented, ìMoney Creek is not a dying township, but everyone wants it to be.î

Parapovich suggested that the Civil Liberties Union could become involved if a person who is entitled to a liquor license is denied one.

Attorney Tim Murphy, who represents the citizens group that is opposed to the license, said that there is no right to a liquor license.

ìIt is a privilege,î he said, adding that the situation would be different if a liquor license was available. In this case, he said, there is no license available. He also distributed copies of a newspaper article from 1949 that reported on the townshipís vote against liquor sales, establishing Money Creek as a ìdryî township.

In an election held March 25, the Money Creek residents voted 141-89 against issuing a Sunday liquor license.

A number of citizens spoke against the granting of a new license for the Pit Stop.

Michelle Hanson of Money Creek told commissioners that there are 23 children in Money Creek, and that she is concerned for their safety. She said she is not against the business as long as there is no alcohol.

Mary Konkel said that she is not against the Coulsons, and believes an eating place and convenience store would be a good idea. But she is against liquor sales at that location.

ìItís a chance we donít want to take,î she said. She added that perhaps people move to Money Creek because there is no liquor. Kim Ross, another Money Creek resident, said that her family moved to Money Creek because it is a beautiful and quiet place.

ìWe want to continue that quality of life,î she said.

When Mrs. Coulson was asked if plans for a restaurant and convenience store would proceed without a liquor license being granted, she said she would have to think about it.

The board will vote on the license at its April 8 meeting.

Nursing home beds decertified

In other new from the county, the board heard from Lloyd Swalve, administrator of The Lutheran Home, Caledonia, who reported that the home plans to decertify 16 beds, including 12 that are now on layaway and four additional beds, bringing the capacity of the home to 58.

The move to decertify beds is a response to an incentive offered by the state. Swalve said the Lutheran Home was given the choice of either decreasing its rates by 4 percent, which would result in a loss of income of $90,000 per year, or decertifying 15 percent of its beds. Swalve noted that about two-thirds of the residents of the Lutheran Home receive Medical Assistance, so the state has a vested interest in keeping the number of beds low. Skilled nursing care is the most expensive type of care, and the trend is now toward short-term therapy and returning people to their homes, or taking advantage of other options such as assisted living.

Swalve told commissioners that the drop in the census for skilled nursing care is due to several factors, including an increase in rehabilitation care and hospice care, which mean shorter stays.

A decertification in beds means that more private rooms will be available at no additional cost to the resident.

ìWe donít charge when we initiate it,î said Swalve.

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