New bar across from church stirs debate in public hearing

About 150 people packed the Osage Community Centre for a public hearing on a Baptist church's opposition to a bar's plan to locate across the road, but only three of them addressed the Cape Girardeau City Council.

Two spoke against the liquor license request and one in favor. Lynwood Baptist Church pastor Dr. Derek Staples said denying the license would protect drivers on North Kingshighway, while a St. Louis attorney defended the character of Tony Scruggs, who is applying for the license.

The Cape Girardeau City Council rarely holds public hearings regarding liquor licenses, but there was such an outcry against this one that the council agreed that the opposition should be heard.

However, the council, according to state law, has no choice but to approve the request because Scruggs has met all the legal requirements.

"It may have had the appearance of just going through the motions, but as people are leaving I see a lot of smiles," Mayor Jay Knudtson said. "We were just trying to raise the communication here. I believe this is what a democracy is all about, and this is why we decided to handle it this way."

The council could have taken action on the issue but did not do so. Councilman Matt Hopkins made a motion to grant Scruggs' request, but it did not get a second. The liquor license request will be on Monday night's council agenda, meaning interested parties will have one more chance to speak on the issue.

Tony Scruggs, who intends to open what he calls a "classy" lounge and sports bar called Big's at 2005 N. Kingshighway, across from the church's gravel driveway, sat quietly Tuesday night while Staples, Lynwood's pastor, laid out the reasons why the 1,300-member church was opposed to his business.

Staples said the church wants to protect motorists. He said more than 25,000 cars per day travel that portion of Kingshighway, and intoxicated drivers would put many lives in danger. He said the church is in opposition of the request because it loves people.

Dustin Nelson, a member of the church, gave a tearful personal testimony about how a friend, Brenda Eakin, was killed by a drunk driver about four years ago. Nelson said Eakin died two weeks after she helped him become a Christian.

Staples said the church has several outreach programs that assist with people who have had problems with alcohol. He also said he had coffee and some pie with Scruggs, and this issue was not about him but about the alcohol.

Knudtson said before the meeting that Lynwood would be limited to just three speakers. Staples and Nelson were the only ones who spoke against the request.

Bar support

Rick Nelson, a St. Louis attorney and a friend of Scruggs, was the only person who voiced support for Scruggs, although he had other friends and supporters in attendance. Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce president John Mehner wrote a letter of support to Scruggs last week and was in attendance but did not speak.

Nelson gave a glowing account of Scruggs' character. He said Scruggs' business was meant for adults to come in and relax, not to overindulge.

"This lounge is a dream he has always had," Nelson said. "His ear will always be open to concerns."

After the meeting Scruggs said he was disappointed the council did not take any action, but he did not want to comment further.

At an earlier council meeting, Scruggs said delays would cause him financial hardship.

Martha House, a Lynwood member who attended the meeting, indicated she was comfortable with the way things transpired Tuesday night.

"We presented what the Lord wanted us to present," she said. "We'll leave it in the Lord's hands."

When asked if she thought the church body would be angry if the council granted the request, she said, "We don't do things in anger."

bmiller@semissourian.com

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