Wednesday, August 20, 2008
By Tommy Witherspoon
Tribune-Herald staff writer
What appeared to be a compromise offer to help resolve what McLennan County Commissioner Joe Mashek called a “severe safety issue” near the historic Tokio Store was rejected Tuesday by County Judge Jim Lewis for what he cited as different “safety issues.”
Lewis stripped the beer permit from the century-old store-turned-rural bar last month because of protests by area residents who claim the bar is a public nuisance, with loud music and rowdy patrons. They also say the traffic and parking situation around the bar is dangerous, with patrons frequently blocking the road with their vehicles.
On Tuesday, Mashek, whose Precinct 3 includes the Tokio area, proposed abandoning a 55-by-240-foot section of Tokio Loop that runs in front of the store and allowing store owners Charles and Deborah Kirkpatrick to purchase that section and use it for parking.
The rest of Tokio Loop would have been tied into adjacent Old Railroad Road, according to the proposal.
Mashek, Precinct 4 Commissioner Ray Meadows and Precinct 2 Commissioner Lester Gibson voted to approve the measure. Lewis cast the lone vote against it.
That killed the proposal because of statutory requirements that the vote be unanimous for the measure to pass.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Wendall Crunk didn’t attend the meeting.
Lewis, who quizzed Mashek intently before the vote, said he voted against the plan because it appeared Mashek hadn’t thought the proposal through, including whether he would put up barricades to block the abandoned portion of the road to keep cars from careening into the new parking lot in front of the store.
Mashek told Lewis he was taking the steps of his plan one at a time, adding that he would do whatever he and County Engineer Steve Hendrick deem appropriate.
After the meeting, Mashek said Lewis’ nay vote might have been directed at him more than at the plan for the Kirkpatricks’ bar, suggesting the county judge might be paying him back for accusations of impropriety Mashek leveled at Lewis last week during debate over privatization of the county jail system.
“It might have been payback,” Mashek said. “It just might be because he was asking me a lot of questions about putting up barricades and what I was going to do. That is my precinct. It is really none of his business. I have been in office a long time and I know what I am doing. I think his mind was already made up.”
Lewis said he consulted with the county’s attorney before he voted Tuesday to make sure he had no apparent conflict of interest because of his previous ruling on the store’s beer permit.
“(Mashek) had no plan to direct the traffic or to warn the public,” Lewis said. “Some of the residents out there requested that we have a public hearing before we changed anything out there. He apparently felt there was no need for a public hearing, which was not required by law but apparently what some of his constituents wanted.”
Deborah Kirkpatrick said after the meeting that their struggle with the county is far from over. They have filed a request for a rehearing with Lewis, who has 45 days to set another hearing or reject their request.
If he turns them down again, Kirkpatrick said they will take their fight to state district court.
“I really feel like we are being attacked by a few neighbors,” Kirkpatrick said. “They call themselves a majority, but they are not. They are not a majority at all. We are doing everything we can to get along with them.”
twitherspoon@wacotrib.com
757-5731
Comments
By Jessica
Nov 3, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this
WOW!!! My dad and I were talking about Tokio, Texas. We haven't visited the store in about 16+ years. Back then, it was "Hands Tokio Store" I believe. When visiting my Aunt in Whitney, we would drive out to visit the store on a Saturday afternoon. The adults would sit around shooting the breeze while drinking a cold one and the kiddos would sing and dance and play pool. It was never crowded. Just a very relaxed, windows and doors open, country feeling.
My how times have changed. When trying to find this place again, I was so excited. I was starting to plan a trip in my head with my dad and take my husband and son, too. However, seeing all the drama that has and is now going on, I guess I won't be. It's a shame that people can spoil favorite memories by changing things to their own wants.
Sounds to me as though the Kirkpatricks should listen to the people of the town. If they had, maybe they wouldn't be in this situation. As the saying goes - If it ain't broke don't fix it!
By a concerned citizen
Sep 2, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this
Yes it is easy to turn your ears on the truth. Why run now? This is what you chose for your lifestyle instead of leaving things the way they were. You poked the sleeping bear and now he's out of hiding. With all the perks you received from the county I'm surprised you even went as far as you did. As for this being a political free for all, this is what you wanted and now you cant handle it.
By Fact Finder
Aug 27, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this
Deborah,
We don't have your ears anymore? Just in case you are peeking in on the site:
From my last comment: My point was....again, "no road was closed or a portion of it shut down" because of the land purchased by your neighbor. Your earlier comment made it sound like "hey everyone... our neighbor bought land in front of their property...so why can't we". Nice try. Totally two different situations. I don't recall the whole neighborhood being up in arms about the land they purchased from the railroad either. That purchase was done long before you inherited the store moved to Tokio. That is just one of my memories.
Sad to learn that you're not interested in hearing any more "Tokio memories". Shame on you, for if you do not honor the history and memories of Tokio....what does it say about your belief in it's future?
And whether we have your ear or not:
Tokio memories....I and many others would love to read more of them on this blog.
By CITIZEN
Aug 25, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this
BOY,THE CHATTER STOPPED WHEN SOMEONE STARTED TALKING IRS AND TAXES NOT PAYED ON THE SO CALLED BENEFITS.
By Deborah
Aug 23, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
I will not be addressing this issue anymore. I now feel this has turned into a free for all. Keep your memories and tell them to someone that will listen. You no longer have my ear. I have too many real issues to deal with, and you aren't part of it. Hopefully in time our neighbors will see we aren't their enemy either.
By Impatient with stoopid peepul
Aug 22, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this
1. Judge Lewis didn't give away anything. Shut up and pay attention to the current events before you start running your mouth. Did you even read the newspaper article or listen to the broadcast news?
2. Issues with the store do not stem from the politicians. They come from people who can't seem to keep their business out of their neighbors'yard. Bimbo never let this kind of activity persist.
3. Don't forget Mashek is running for office too. He is an egomaniac to think this issue is Lewis retribution. Mashek's false accusations happened after the judge's decision. But, there you go. That's the kind of guy he is.
4. If the store is allowed to buy the land in front then all the residents should be allowed to do the same.
5. Lewis is wise to question Mashek's plan as Mashek needs to have a clear, concise plan in place, not just 'one step at a time' as he dreams it up. Many tax dollars could go down the drain as he tapes up this idea, an staples that idea together. He is the fellow that would place chewing gum in the dam to plug a leak. I've seen him in action.
6. I know both Lewis and Mashek and believe me after dealings with both I can assure you Mashek would be too leaky a vessel in which anyone could hold much faith.
By oldtimer
Aug 22, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
I agree Torrance. The Store was a "store" for most of the 100 years that people keep referring to; it was a cherished community store and now it is a Luckenbach wannabe bar.
It was a great gathering place for the locals and there was no loud music, no parking problems and no other stuff. Is the measure of success that there aren't any regular fights?
Times change and that's o.k., but if you lose regard for your neighbors then the neighbors lose regard for you and the spiral begins.
By Hmmmm
Aug 22, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this
I read all these comments. Funny how everyone gets so mixed up. For the record the money raised at the benefit was for a lawyer and we are still hoping we won't have use it all towards that and can purchase the land in front of the store for parking or if need be build one. I just want a resolution. I wish we could all agree. I think Charles and Deborah feel that no matter what they try to do it is not good enough. I also know that no one is trying to give anything to them or Tokio Store. I wish we could all come up with a plan and quit with the games. I do believe we are slowly getting dragged into a political game. All of us on both sides of the story. Children are still aloud in Tokio store under their parents supervision. Yes we still have families come to the store. This is mainly during the week and to sing karokee. I believe that some of those who are protesting have also been in there as recently as new years or their families used to come in. Up until about 3 years ago I didnt even know Tokio existed. I have been there quite often over the past year and have not ever seen a fight break out. Anyone acting out is asked to leave and usually escorted by Charles. I am not sure how this problem can be fixed but I hope that a resolution is made that the store and the neighbors can both live with.
By H Torrance
Aug 22, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
My family had a dairy farm near Tokio in the 50's and in fact my brother and sister went to the Tokio shcool for a couple of years before it was closed. One of my fondest memories was being able to ride with my Daddy to get the mail and on to the Tokio store for a Baby Ruth candy bar. That was a real treat for a country kid. My whole family was baptised at the Tokio Baptist Church and we were there everytime the church doors opened. Tokio Loop - wow. I remember the railroad crossing sign saying Wiggins. After my Father's death in 1958, we sold the dairy and moves to Waco. That was long ago and far away, butI feel a sadness knowing the store has become a rowdy bar.
By Paul W.
Aug 22, 2008 12:43 AM | Link to this
"Judge Lewis says heŭs proud of his record, and heŭll keep running based on that."
people will remember this when they go to vote.
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