Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
During the regular meeting of the Lee Town Council on Tuesday, Oct. 7, a packed house filled the council’s meeting room. Many of those present were there to voice their support of the Edge of Town, a bar that operates in Lee. William Eckert has chosen to temporarily close the establishment while issues surrounding proper permitting are resolved. According to rulings by Special Magistrate Adam Morrison, Eckert was using the buildings, which had been permitted for residential use, for commercial purposes. During the meeting, Eckert’s attorney asked the council if Eckert could continue to operate the Edge of Town while the permitting issues were resolved. Rhett Bullard stated that was not a decision the Town Council could make, it would be a decision of Special Magistrate Morrison.
Many of those at the meeting, which became raucous at times, with profanities uttered and many people speaking over one another, claimed the Town Council was “picking” on the Edge of Town. Council members rebutted this claim stating that they were not “picking” on Eckert or the Edge of Town. Bullard stated that Eckert simply needed to comply with the proper permitting to operate a commercial establishment in the buildings. It was also stated that the Edge of Town had done some positive things for the Town of Lee, including holding events, such as Bingo, to help various non-profits raise money. The Town Council acknowledged these charitable endeavors, but it was still stated that Eckert needed to go through proper permitting procedures.
One of the requirements was submitting a site plan for the property. The Town Council chose to table this issue until language of the plan could be worked out. “We’re moving along,” said Bullard. Madison County Planner Rene Demps stated that Eckert was proceeding properly and it would be her recommendation for the Town Council to approve the site plan. The matter of the site plan could be brought up at the next meeting of the Lee Town Council, or a special meeting could be called to address the issue.
The next scheduled meeting of the Town of Lee is set to take place on Tuesday, Nov. 4, at 7 p.m. The meeting will take place in Lee Town Hall, located at 286 NE County Road 255, in Lee.