A downtown Ashland restaurateur told the Board of City Commissioners on Aug. 28 that the city's Entertainment Destination Center (EDC) designation has been used in a way that benefits a single licensee and leaves other downtown businesses uninformed.

Christy Baer, owner of Jerk Riley's Pub, said she and other downtown restaurant owners were surprised to see EDC signage at Sawstone River Room on July 25 and learned via social media that the EDC was active for that business from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. "It seems like they're helping one person and not helping the other, and that's not, that's not okay with me," Baer told the commission. She said she routinely tracks EDC dates and asks City staff whether the EDC is active so she can prepare staffing and promotions. Baer said she had applied to use the EDC and related event permissions for upcoming tailgate events but had not received timely approvals.

City staff described the process as administered through a special events committee made up of representatives from multiple departments and typically managed by the ABC administrator. City staff said Chief Todd Kelly, who serves as ABC administrator, has concerns about how the EDC currently activates and intends to propose clarifications. "It sounds like there's a bit of overreach going on with the benefit of one licensee as opposed to the other licensees. That's not right," a commissioner said after staff remarks.

Staff said yard signage and website calendars are used to publicize EDC activations; Baer said she did not receive direct notification and asked that the city create a formal owner-notification process. Commissioner(s) asked staff to provide copies of the special events committee materials, the EDC ordinance and the committee's authority so businesses can understand activation procedures.

Mayor Chuck D. Charles and other commissioners said they would encourage Baer to speak directly with Chief Kelly, the ABC administrator, and staff said Chief Kelly plans to bring suggested ordinance clarifications to the commission.

No formal action was taken; staff said they would investigate Baer's complaint and return with information.