Saturday’s Town Hall meeting in Caledonia pitted the age-old question of cold beer sales and the ability to keep the community family friendly. However, Saturday’s meeting 
came with twists, turns and at least one back-door switcheroo, where one Alderman had a change of heart between the private board room and the open forum. The meeting was brisk and attended by over 20 concerned citizens, with both sides equally represented.
At stake was the future of the Cal-City Grocery, an establishment that had been in existence since 1973. During that time, it had been allowed to function freely and has served cold beer since its inception. Additionally, it was given a “grandfather clause” exemption in 1982, when the Town of Caledonia made provisions that alcohol could not be sold within 1,500 feet of a church. The question at hand, was whether Cal-City would lose its “grandfather status”, after being closed involuntarily for just over three months.
The vote was three-to-two, with only Aldermen Quinn Parham and Mike Savage voting “yes” to continue the “grandfather clause” for Cal-City. Shortly after the meeting, the vote was met with shock, as many individuals close to the situation advised that Alderman Bill Darnell had changed his mind, after supporting the Cal-City request in private session. This reversal of fortune by Mr. Darnell switched the entire complexity of the situation.
The store was owned by Bill Pearrow, until his passing less than two years ago. At that time, his family had leased it to other individuals until November of 2011, at which time the family claims the lease was broken.
Ms. Valerie Riley, along with her attorney, Steve Wallace, spoke to the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen and stated that they have been working to keep the grocery functioning, but have had legal issues and construction concerns since the store was abandoned by its former lessees. Ms. Riley stated that she approached the Mayor and Board of Aldermen in an October 2011 Board of Aldermen meeting, to ensure they understood her concerns.
When asked about Saturday’s meeting, Ms. Riley said, “I did not even know they were having a meeting, until my husband, Richard, told me and he was told by someone else. And that is not right.”
Cal-City’s potential buyer, Jeff Doty, opened the meeting and was careful not to break the balance of business and community spirit. He stated that he wanted to run a clean and legitimate business and thought that the store could bring in over a million dollars of revenue. He repeatedly assured everyone present that he wanted to run a respectable business.
One of the most outspoken opponents of the measure to allow cold beer sales was former Alderman Tommy Wiggins, who voted for the store to be given a “grandfather” provision in 1982. Speaking to him and his wife, Mildred, during the break for deliberation, both stated that if the business continued to have its ”grandfather clause”, it was a moot issue – a statement reiterated many times by Board Attorney Jeff Smith, during the meeting.
Both of them, however, were extremely worried about Cal-City being given a variance to the existing law, stating they were concerned if that solution was passed, every business in town would be coming before the board to request the same exemption. When this topic was broached, after the Board removed Cal-City’s “grandfather clause”, it died from a lack of a “second” to the motion.
Citizen Roy Lemmerman also had concerns that plague all of Lowndes County, when he stated that whenever Cal-City had deliveries, the vehicles blocked the streets and, since there are no sidewalks, children walking in the area were not safe. This is a complaint that is often heard throughout all our communities.
After the meeting, both Ms. Riley and Mr. Doty expressed their position. Ms. Riley stated,” I still hold a valid beer permit and we never tried to close the place as a business. I went to the Board and advised them as soon as I saw the problem (with the past lessees) develop.”
When asked if he would buy the business if Cal-City could not sell beer, he stated, “No, but this has just lit a fire under me. I have already been in touch with my attorneys.” Mr. Doty also had concerns about how the meeting was conducted and whether the board was required to wait 30 days to enact, what he believed to be, a new law.
This story is not over and should be a hot-button topic for the next few months.
Mr. MoJo Rising
Note:
A lot has been made of the re-opening of Co-Op Road after Monday’s Supervisors meeting. After visiting the area on Saturday, the road still looks closed to The Real Story. Both Attorney H.H. McClanahan and Citizen Dennis Gartman have stated repeatedly that they are measuring their legal actions.
Stay tuned! I am sure that there is more going on than meets the eye!
February 13, 2012 at 10:58 am
Are these the same people that elected George Mayor – TWICE ? Pity ! No hope there !
February 13, 2012 at 1:14 pm
valarie already was told back in i believe october that if the store stayed closed for about a weekend that it would lose its grandfather status she was told that by jeff smith board att i dont agree with it myself and know the previous owners well as they tried to work with her to prevent this but she claimed that the board couldnt do it well they did previous owner aka lease holder had buyers lined up to buy the store out but valerie refused to sign a new lease with them ask her why not but her claim to construction one reason it was not opened up hmm i drive by there 3-5 times a day and the only thing i have seen done is someone cut a tree down and left it lay at the side of the parking lot and previous owner aka lease holder spent lots of money cleaning painting and repairing the property and had it looking nice i dont drink but the sale of cold beer in caledonia dont bother me ether to each there own i can say i have never been blocked by a truck delivering to the store and i drive by it 3-5 times a day also i wouldnt let my kids just walk down the side of the street there anyway and nothing to do with the store i listened to what was said in the board meeting in oct and what they told her is what they did i dont agree with it but its not like they just up and did it without her knowledge but the board here dose as it pleases or untill the mayor gets mad and files ethnics violations on them when he is not included or not agreed with and board att jeff smith most of the time dont know what hes talking about im no brain trust as you can tell by my typing but i do know how screwed up caledonia mayor and board are but valarie knew all about this and did nothing till it was to late why cry now she knew what was coming and did nothing to prevent it
February 13, 2012 at 9:23 pm
Jeff, I am Valerie Riley one of the two sister’s that now own Cal-City Gro due to the pasting of my father Bill Pearrow .Since you were at the meeting in Oct and didnt hear or Know the whole story let me enlighten you on it! First I Hope you have never had to bury a parent in saying that My father owned and operated Cal -City Gro since 1973 until 2010 .In August of 2010 the former leasee signed a 5 year lease with my father one month later my father passed away so …my two sister’s and I inherited the Store as with any death there is a grieving process and legal matters that have to be taken care of .In Oct 2011, I apporched the Board with concerns about the Grandfather Clause that pertain the Cal-City Gro. My concerns was, What are the guidelines for the clause not a time frame !Jeff Smith stated that because Mr. Pearrow had Passed away Cal City Gro NO LONGER holds a Grandfather Clause and I explained Bill Pearrow was NOT grandfathered that CAL-CITY GRO was as long as it remained Cal-City it would NEVER lose it beer license. Then Jeff Smith came back and retracked him statement and said if it closes VOLUNTARILY for 24 hours if could lose its license.Brenda Willis came back and said NO ……..We have to give them reasonable time, 24 hours is not enough. So Jeff…….. NO time frame was giving! Now the Law does not state a time nowhere in a grandfather clause law! If they would have addressed the issues i had we would not be here today talking about this ! So they didnt do their JOB! I did mind….And was told at the meeting not to worry that they would take care of this however they needed to for us! Now about the signing of the lease..We didnt and dont need the former leasee to find a renter for us ,the only reason they where looking for someone to lease for us is to get rid of their equipment (without the store they didnt need the equipment quick fix for them..HUH ) That would be like me renting from you and not wanting to pay you so i find someone to lease it to . Ok now what if you dont want that renter …..Do you still lease to them to help the renter that dont want to pay??? Yes, the former leasee had several people that wanted to lease but it was the potienal new leasee that choose not to…..NOT MINE! When they realize that the leasee where not fully honest with them …They backed out! On Nov 7, the former leasee locked the doors on Cal City Gro and put a note on the door that anyone who enter before Nov22 would be proscuted .About the rentovation Jeff , It takes time to reopen a business when everything wall to wall is taken!! The inside has been painted, floors have been resurfed and painted,Bathrooms remodel .But you know that is why you Never judge a book by it’s cover cause you never know what it is about till you read it and I feel that is what you have done to me …But rest a sure Cal City Gro will come back ! To the alderman and alderwoman you are elected to voted on the law not your convictions! If anyone has concerns or questions please feel free to inbox me.Thanks Valerie Riley
February 13, 2012 at 10:57 pm
WOW! Now Mr. Conwill, that’s a mumbled mouth full! You should be more informed on the law before you mumble! Truth is, “right” will prevail, and wrong will be served. Misleading about the law is against the law. One can not judge, and jury! Beer will be sold at cal-City grocery and no nonsense will to tolerated! A city ordinance can not over ride a state statue. Seems there is a lot of ignorance in this situation, and yours is the least of it!
February 14, 2012 at 8:43 am
You are dealing with ignorance from the Mayor on down. No change in sight. When you elect stupid you get stupid.
February 14, 2012 at 9:45 am
I am Vicki Pearrow Hathcock, one of the owners of Cal-City Grocery. I do not live in Caledonia anymore, but still claim it as my childhood hometown. I was very disappointed in the outcome of the “special meeting” held on Saturday, February 11, 2012. We were not notified that our business, Cal-City Grocery, was going to be discussed and that possible action might be taken against it. I’m just wondering why? Why weren’t we notified and why was the meeting called so suddenly? I would have liked to have been at the meeting considering I’m one of the owners. We had to learn of this upcoming action through rumors. I appreciate the Aldermen that voted for us. They obviously understand and support small businesses. If the ones that voted against us were voting their conscience because they don’t like the “beer” aspect, I wonder if they buy anything from Wal-Mart, Kroger, or any other business that sells beer? Are they out pounding the pavement and/or knocking on doors on church visitation night? You shouldn’t pick and choose when you are going to be “religious”. I don’t drink alcohol for two reasons: it’s not the way I want to live my life and I don’t like the taste of any of it. It’s not my place to judge anyone for anything. That’s God’s place. Cal-City has been in business for many years and to my knowledge, has never hurt anyone. It has never been robbed, lost its license to sell beer, nor had problems with law enforcement. Other than Caledonia losing tax dollars, what happens when and if Cal-City can’t make a come back? Does it then become an eye sore for anyone driving into the town because of its dilapidated appearance? How does that look to potential homeowners? I know that when I moved to Brandon, MS, I looked at the towns’ appearance before buying a home. I believe the Board of Aldermen should reconsider their vote and do what’s right for the town.
February 14, 2012 at 1:59 pm
Why in the world would you be blocking a proven successful business owner – Mr. Doty – From bringing us one of the best stores , bait shop, Deli , Gas . He pays his vendors on time , The pumps will be dependable , HE SPEAKS ENGLISH!!!!! Give me a break , You that are voting against Will lose votes in the future !!!!
February 14, 2012 at 3:09 pm
Now you know why this is a one traffic light town.
February 16, 2012 at 3:57 pm
Not being a resident of Caledonia but a citizen of Mississippi always questioning governmental bodies following the open meeting law then I believe the towns people of Caledonia are owed an explanation of why this topic was in a closed session. All to often things such as potential litigation, an act that has not occurred, leads to a closed determination.
February 18, 2012 at 12:53 pm
Brenda, Bill & steve.
I, for the life of me, cannot understand your vote to not allow Cal-City to continue operating as before.
Your vote on this matter is definitely not to the betterment of Caledonia coffers.
How much sales tax will Caledonia lose because of your vote?
With votes like this I understand why we can’t get other business people to open up in Caledonia. Where is our bank, hardware store, etc?
What citizen imput did you all have on this vote? Or did you all only vote your own convictions.
No one contacted me as to what I thought of letting Cal-City continue operating as before. Was anyone else contacted or did you all just vote for what you all wanted.
Take a poll of the board members and ascertain what they have done to bring new business to Caledonia. (?)
Also ascertain what the citizens are getting for their money. Probably looking for a raise in the next budget. Oops, I forgot, You all can vote a new salary at anytime and just adjust the budget.
During these tough times have any of you board members considered taking a pay cut or donating a portion of your very lucrative salery to help those who do not have jobs.
I am of the understanding that alderpersons are elected to serve the people of Caledonia, not just a few, and to vote according to the wishes of the people that elected you.
Hopefully in the next election we the people will elect some new board members that will look out for the voters not just themselves. We need board members that know how to run a business and make decisions to help the town grow, not people that just wants a payday for doing nothing.
Frank
February 18, 2012 at 1:15 pm
Mr. Berry, let me assure you that there are several things that will be addressed about this meeting and also it’s findings. If you can say “RAIL ROAD” you were at the meeting. I am by no means a lawyer, but I do know right from wrong!
March 2, 2012 at 6:04 pm
Mrs. Riley and Mr. Doty,in regards to my mumbling mouthful i’m not trying to be the judge,the jury,or enforce the law.I was present at the board meeting,i heard what was said at the meeting by Jeff Smith.As i stated in my previous post,I didn’t agree with it myself,but I understood exactly what Jeff Smith had said,and I didn’t agree with it. However,you know well they do what they want to do around here. Good luck to you on your appeal I truly hope that you are successful in it,and Valerie yes I do know what its like to bury my father,I just did that a year ago myself.My fathers estate was also very complicated,but I still had to take care of business.I agree its not easy,but the board here will fight you every step of the way.I just wondered why after Jeff Smith’s response to your questions you just left the doors locked,and didn’t make an effort to look like you were trying to keep the place open.If you think i happen to like the mayor your sadly mistaken.I’m just stating that you knew this was possibly coming,why didn’t you try to do something before they voted against your right to sell cold beer.My honest opinion is that it would have been much easier to have tried to prevent it then the risk involved in trying to over turn it.Mr. Doty,I never meant to offend you,i’m just a man that see things the way I see them,and the way I see this is all parties involved sat around and did nothing until it was too late.I wish you all the luck in the world in this business venture,as I would enjoy seeing cal-city grocery open again.I don’t drink but cal-city selling beer as i stated previously does not offend me in the least.I’m glad that somebody is willing to stand up to the board,and possibly show them that their not the judge,the jury,or executioner.