Farms council fills vacancy
with veteran, asks for tradition to stand
The Grosse Pointe Farms City Council appointed a replacement to complete the late councilman Douglas Roby’s term Monday evening. The council also considered approving the transfer of the liquor license for Lucy's Restaurant and Bar to the new owners.
Eight residents submitted their resumés and letters of interest for the council vacancy, but council chose Martin West, a former member who served one term, from 1997 to 2001.
City Attorney William Burgess reminded the council that past mid-term vacancies were filled by former council people who were willing to complete the term and not run in the following election cycle.
Councilman Peter Waldmeir moved to nominate West and continue the practice outlined by Burgess. Councilman Joe Leonard abstained from voting, saying council should allow any Farms resident to fill the seat. The motion was carried by six votes.
West will serve until the 2011 election.
"I always said I'd run my conscience and get out," West said of his previous one-term service, "but I think everyone should give back to their community so I'm happy to (serve out this term).”
In other business:
Farms resident Richard Allen sought approval of a liquor license transfer for Lucy’s Restaurant and Bar from the council. The restaurant was previously owned by Ranhead Inc. which suffered financially and is no longer fiscally responsible for the business.
Allen bought Lucy’s and said he paid for the liquor license as well. The transfer has been approved by the Farms’ Public Safety Department. “There were no problems in the background investigation, everything passed with flying colors,” Director Daniel Jensen said.
Waldmeir moved to conditionally approve the transfer with the stipulation that Allen, his counsel, and the Farms’ council and city attorney forge an agreement to keep the license in the Farms should the business close or relocate to another city. If the teams are unable to reach an agreement a special meeting would be held on April 26.
Council agreed to meet with Allen in a special session to discuss the transfer and conditions of the license approval.
Additionally, the City of Grosse Pointe’s council invited all Pointes to discuss and review options for cooperating within the public safety arena. A committee would require the approval of each city council and the participation of the mayors, along with another elected representative.
However, Jensen spoke against the proposed consolidation of the five public safety departments. “They have a long-term, potentially hazardous solution for a short-term problem,” he said.
