The Milwaukee Common Council Licenses Committee wants to crack down on continued violence and disturbances in front of area dance clubs.

The Ladybug Club, 622 N. Water St., has irritated neighbors since it opened, even though hardly anyone lives in the area. Last week, a teen was arrested for brandishing a gun outside the club and police have been on hand constantly to control traffic and keep patrons from loitering in a nearby parking lot.

The committee recommended a 45-day suspension for the club. It heard testimony and saw film of youths doing donuts with their cars and generally running amok after closing time.

Rain, a teen-friendly club located in Walker's Point at 906. S. Barclay St., also has been plagued with repeated incidents of fighting. Though it doesn't have proper licenses, Rain has held various contests that have drawn warning letters every year when its license is up for renewal. Committee members, seeking to send a stronger message, recommended a 10-day suspension.

The full Council debates the matter Friday.

The Power of Proximity: A convenience store at the corner of Lincoln and Howell Avenues created a controversy in the licensing committee. Neighbors rallied around their favorite store, while opponents from outside the area protested the owner's desire to sell beer.

Parshotam Singh has owned AK Mart, 2305 S. Howell Ave., for 18 years and needs to sell beer to stay in business, he says. Ald. Tony Zielinski lined up five protestors, including some block watch captains whose areas were somewhat outside the neighborhood of the mart and some income-property owners on the street.

Singh attempted two years ago to get a liquor license for a restaurant space next door to the store. Zielinski opposed that, too, but after Singh made improvements to the building, the restaurant got the license a year later.

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Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by theguywithdimples on Nov. 9, 2008 at 4:17 p.m. (report)

great article Doug. I really just can't believe how many people in Bay View actually think Tony Zielinski is doing such a great job when he's clearly all about furthering his own political career over anything. He is one of the biggest phonies around. i can remember him trying to get in office in the 90s. Has this guy ever had a real job. I know that when he found out he could not beat Witkowiak he all of of sudden moved to Bay View when Briar retired. And we all know he aspires to be our mayor some day, god help us. he is nothing special and thinks K.K. can be the next brady St. but guess what a lot of us folks that live in bay View like the fact that we don't have to walk 5 blocks when we park our cars. we don't need more small corporations, LLCs that already have 5 bars around the city here. Bay view is cool because we have new places with real character. unless most folks have ever had to deal with Zielinski on more important matters that effect our neighborhood or starting a business in our area, they would understandably have a somewhat neutral position about the guy. as I did till I saw what little vision the guy has. i appreciate articles like yours, and wish more folks in Bay View read this to see what kind of an alderman we have. I can't wait for someone to step up next election cycle to get rid of this guy.

Posted by Aardvark on Nov. 7, 2008 at 11:17 a.m. (report)

The Ladybug Club is no more. It's called 618 Live for some time now and was supposed to be more of a rock club. I guess people didn't get the memo :)

Posted by sijan_heights on Nov. 7, 2008 at 11:01 a.m. (report)

Typical of the ham handed grandstanding that has been the hallmark of Zielinski's time in office. Just ask Slim McGinn about Tony's "leadership" regarding liquor licensing in his fiefdom.

Posted by alba on Nov. 7, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. (report)

Zielinski wields his liquor license authority with Michael McGee Jr.-style intimidation. The ability to sell beer and liquor can make-or-break an independently-owned store and if you aren't kissing Tonys butt (or paying off McGee), you won't get a license. Just because Zielinski doesn't ask for cash doesn't make his actions any less slimy than the imprisoned former Milwaukee Alderman. Milwaukee's licensing dealings needs a major overhaul so that the process is fair and transparent.

Posted by CoolerKing on Nov. 7, 2008 at 7:31 a.m. (report)

The AK Mart licensing issues are ridiculous. How many people usually buy overpriced beer from a convenience store? And if they were denied a license, people in the neighborhood are going to get their beer somewhere if they want it bad enough. I think Zielinski should quit worrying about liquor licenses and concentrate on larger community issues that aldermen should be addressing instead of how many places are selling beer in Bay View.