COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Despite the issues this week with the Merriman Building at the corner of South Monroe and West Chicago, Hops on Monroe will be held as usual on Thursday evening between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m..
Some adjustments will be made to keep people away from the Merriman Building. Be aware you may have to use a different entrance as the alley next to the building was still closed as of Thursday morning.
The featured beers this week are from Saugatuck Brewing Company. They will be serving
Oval Beach Blonde Light Ale
Bonfire Brown American Style Brown Ale
Cotton Mouth Crusher Raspberry Sour Ale
Blueberry Lemonade ShandyThe entertainment will be provided by Scotty Butters Music. The featured food trucks this week are from Hoosier Mama Food Truck and Wicked Good Cupcakes Fort Wayne.
Admission to Hops on Monroe is free and the event is kid-friendly. Please bring your ID if you plan to consume alcoholic beverages, as well as cash if you plan to purchase from the beer tent.
According to Randall Hazlebaker the city was aware of the issue and gave the well-connected local attorney and contractor owners two citations previously. The owner, to their credit. were reportedly in the process of making the repairs.
Why did the city not also inform and protect the public before the pieces started falling? Why did the city encourage the public to attend weekly city sponsored beer parties knowing it would place attendees in harm’s way? The current blocking of the area and slight moving of the party should have happened the day the city first became aware if the situation. Is it possible the city wanted to keep the issue hush hush but when chucks started falling it jumped into cya mode and flipped on the owners by saying “well we warned them!”.
I am tired of paying undisclosed amount legal settlements over the City of Coldwater’s coverups, inactions and actions. We need all new officials and until that happens the residents need to be raising hell! Call your councilperson, the City Manage. Neighborhood Services and Mayor and demand accountability from every city official and department that was aware and allowed our adults and children alike to be placed at risk!
Dan Corwin