By Michael S. Hoey
Correspondent
Cattails bar in the Town of Delavan will remain closed until at least Nov. 22. The bar’s liquor license was revoked during a hearing that was held during a special meeting on Oct. 10 and that action remained in effect after another special meeting on Oct. 18.
The revocation occurred as the result of a complaint filed by Richard Wasik. In the complaint, Wasik alleged that owner Mike Jonas kept an improper house and was not qualified to hold a liquor license due to there being several unsatisfied judgments against him and two OWI charges that he failed to disclose on license applications.
The improper house allegation stemmed from a series of problems the surrounding neighbors have had with Jonas since he took over ownership of the bar including noise complaints, profane language, garbage left by patrons on neighboring properties, cars illegally parked, and a patio that Mike Jonas started to build without the proper permits. Wasik provided a digital presentation with photos to support his allegations.
Jonas was under a court summons to appear at the meeting on Oct. 10 and did not appear. Instead, his mother, Nancy Jonas, appeared with attorney Steve Compton. Nancy Jonas said she had taken over ownership of the bar and appeared at the meeting to ask that the liquor license be transferred to her. The board tabled that request because it did not have a background check yet on Jonas.
Nancy Jonas said she and Compton then left the meeting because they thought the hearing that was next on the agenda about revoking the license was no longer necessary. Jonas said she was shocked to learn the next day the license had been revoked and wondered how the board could do that considering Mike Jonas is no longer the owner of the bar. Nancy Jonas immediately applied for a new license.
The board scheduled the special meeting on Oct. 18 to go into closed session to discuss potential litigation that might arise due to the revocation. Before adjourning into closed session, residents were allowed to speak. Town Chairman Larry Malsch began by clarifying what had happened on Oct. 10 because he said there was some confusion in the community about what transpired.
Malsch said that Nancy Jonas is the new owner of Cattails and her request to transfer the liquor license from her son to her was tabled. He said during the hearing that followed, the complaint was addressed, testimony was heard, and evidence was presented along with a petition. Malsch said Mike Jonas was under summons to appear and did not. He said Nancy Jonas and her attorney left the meeting before the hearing despite being told the hearing would proceed. Malsch said Nancy Jonas and her attorney had the opportunity to question witnesses and evidence and chose to leave instead.
For the full story, please see the print edition of the Delavan Enterprise.
