Waukesha committee recommends denying bartender/operator permit for applicant Reid Tieri after recent DUI convictions

The Waukesha City Ordinance and Licensing Committee on Oct. 14 voted to recommend that the City Council deny an operator (bartender) permit for applicant Reid Tieri after discussing two recent DUI convictions and whether Tieri had shown sufficient rehabilitation.

The committee’s chair opened the discussion after introducing Tieri and noting records that appeared to show multiple DUI entries. Tieri told the panel he had "got 2" convictions and disputed an apparent additional entry on the record, saying one listing may reflect a conviction date or reporting discrepancy. He described the first incident as a morning-after event after a night out when a tie rod failed and he said he "blew positive," and the second as a separate incident in which he consumed "3 tall boys" and was in a parking lot.

Committee members pressed Tieri on accountability and whether he had learned from the incidents. One member said he did not hear sufficient acceptance of responsibility and that, given two convictions within roughly three years, he was "not in support of approving this license." Another member who moved to recommend denial said he was concerned about Tieri’s responses and the recency of the convictions.

City attorney Brian explained the process and told Tieri he has the right to appeal the committee’s recommendation to the City Council, but that a successful appeal would require new or persuasive evidence of rehabilitation rather than repeating the same arguments. "You do have the right to appeal that," Brian said, and that the applicant would need to present evidence that convinces the deciding body that he has rehabilitated and "will not offend again."

The committee’s motion to recommend denial was made by committee member Helvins Laban and was announced as seconded by Anderson; the chair later confirmed the recommendation carried unanimously. The chair said the committee’s recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for final action at a forthcoming meeting, and noted scheduling around the election had affected exact dates.

Tieri told the panel he has a job offer at "Nice Ash" that he hopes will help him secure stable housing and remain on a steady path, and he asked about paperwork and whether lacking a driver’s license would matter; counsel advised he consult an attorney about next steps and documentation for an appeal.

The committee’s recommendation does not itself deny or approve the permit; it is a formal recommendation to the City Council, which will make the final determination.