COLUMBUS -- A phone call Thursday night from Mayor Mike Moser appears to have cleared the air with Dustin Milligan who is working toward opening a tattoo and body art business downtown.
A story published Wednesday regarding the mayor’s opposition and efforts to keep the tattoo business from operating next door to Columbus Music, owned by Moser and his, resulted in a flood of public reaction, generating more than 200 comments on the columbustelegram.com Web site in less than 48 hours.
Milligan, owner of Phoenix Body Mods, said the mayor “called me up last night and apologized and hoped there were no hard feelings.”
Milligan said the mayor extended an open invitation for him to visit the music store and converse.
When asked what prompted him to contact Milligan, the mayor responded with this e-mail:
“I called Mr. Milligan last evening about the Telegram article and to see if we had any unresolved issues to discuss since it had been several months since we last talked (in July, as I recall). We had a good conversation. I said that he would be welcome to call me or come over to talk anytime if he would like.
“From the painting and remodeling that I have seen next door, over the last few months, it appears that he is making progress on his project. I wish him well.”
“I felt that the Telegram article was very negative and inflammatory considering that the issue was resolved months ago,” Moser wrote.
The conversation between Milligan and Moser was in June. Milligan said the mayor then attempted to find another location for the business. After that, according to David Blessen, owner of the building, Moser attempted more than once to purchase the building.
Milligan said prior to the publication of Wednesday’s story, he had difficulty reaching potential contractors to proceed with the electrical and plumbing work in the building, but since the article he has had contractors seeking him out.
“It has been a lot easier to get them to call me back the last few days,” he said.
He said the public backing has been overwhelming.
“I am very, very grateful for the support I’ve gotten from this town and everyone around” Columbus, Milligan said.
As for those who may have or continue to oppose his choice for a business, he said: “I don’t have any hard feelings or ill feelings toward anybody. We as neighbors can get along (because) I plan on being around for a while.”
Mayor apologizes to tattoo artist
By Adrian Sanchez asanchez@columbustelegram.com
Friday, Oct 16, 2009 - 03:13:04 pm CDT
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times a flyin
Oct 16, 2009 3:50 PM
Gotta love Columbus!! This happened back in June and it is NOW getting published!!! I guess Old news is better than no news! Kudos for Moser for making the call and Kudos for Mulligan for having no hard feelings! "cant we all just get along?"Rodney King Jr
Oct 16, 2009 4:58 PM
People, I just want to say, you know, can we all get along? Can we get along? "Can we stop making it, making it horrible for the older people and the kids and the tattoo artists, and the music store owner, and the mayor?...It’s just not right. It’s not right. It’s not, it’s not going to change anything. We’ll, we’ll get our justice....Please, we can get along here. We all can get along. I mean, we’re all stuck here for a while. Let’s try to work it out. Let’s try to beat it. Let’s try to beat it. Let’s try to work it out."hizzoner
Oct 16, 2009 5:18 PM
Did the Mayor have any other choice? He was just about ready to be run out of town on the very tracks he is close to.The paparazzi
Oct 16, 2009 6:37 PM
Anyone else notice that the Telegram is starting to look and sound like the National Enquirer?rob g
Oct 16, 2009 7:09 PM
I would say the National Telegram has done some good work with this one. Exsposing greed, corruption and arrogance is the work of any good newspaper.Just a thought
Oct 16, 2009 7:26 PM
It sure is interesting how the "whole" article can appear in the online version of the telespam when it suites their needs, ie. circulation. Just a thought.RJ
Oct 16, 2009 7:26 PM
Thankfully, we do not govern by mob rule in this country. If so, the mayor would have been hung at sunrise, if the pitchforks and torches wouldn't have done-him-in first, all based on one newspaper article from Wednesday.I wonder if anyone from the 200 or more posts actually talked to either party?
I jotted down just a few words and phrases from these posts, commenting on the mayor: "Stupid, idiot, small brain, serious loser, moron, incompetent, corrupt, irresponsible, dictator, friggin moron". This lead to: "Impeachment, please resign, recall his hiney, get this fool out of office."
Wow! Our country's founders should be applauded for setting up a system in which a person has a chance to defend himself.
This proves how easily people can be whipped-up into a frenzy with very little information.
bargain shopper
Oct 16, 2009 8:06 PM
I think that was very big of the Mayor and it looks as if he is making an effort to get along with his neighbor. I'm glad this will all work out and we can stop fighting now and get along. I will still shop in his store because even though he really doesn't have much competition he is still reasonably priced.Disclaimer: I don't know him personally, have never owned a business or a building downtown.
Help
Oct 16, 2009 8:42 PM
So, mister mayor. Exactly what is it that you are looking for in a downtown business? Empty buildings? Yes people? Please tell me...brian
Oct 16, 2009 8:49 PM
well well well! it looks like he is trying his best not to get himself or the city sued!!!! I say do it and get him out of office. He does not know it but his wife and kids maybe would consider going and getting a tattoo..... after all, everyone wants them, old young or rich or poor!!! But sue the hell out of him, after all, he fits the image of this unwanted town!RE The papparrazi
Oct 16, 2009 9:31 PM
Sweetheart, why would someone apologize for something he or she didn't do. That only happens when what was said is true. Too bad Mr. Mayor is rude when he is behind closed doors and "so nice" when he is outted. Sounds to me like Columbus has its own Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde, if you ask me, regardless of whether he apologizes or not. He had to come to terms with reality and man up to what he did.Hernandez
Oct 17, 2009 12:40 AM
Theres nothing going on downtown columbus. Theres stores but not a lot of people go there its boring. They have more business if they had the tattoo place there. More people are gettin tattoos. Just get over it and let him open his business. Unless he has something against people and tattoos.see-saw
Oct 17, 2009 6:27 AM
Columbus needs to pull their town togather and act like adults.It use to be a fun clean town to shop in and the paper use to be enjoyable to read.Sat back and really take a look at the town now and what is happening and fix it.You all can do it!dry ice
Oct 17, 2009 8:29 AM
Brian:And why would the city get sued?. Reading the full article, there is no indication Moser was acting in any official capacity.
.
Oct 17, 2009 10:07 AM
I AM SO GLAD THINGS WORKED OUT FOR YOU DUSTIN. IT LOOKS AS THOUGH YOU ARE PRETTY WELL LIKED IN THIS TOWN. GLAD WE WERE ALL ABLE TO HELP AND THAT THE MAYOR DECIDED IT WOULDNT BE A HORRIBLE THING TO HAVE YOUR SHOP DOWNTOWN. SURE AM GLAD THERE'S A COMMENT SECTION ON THIS WEBSITE.cityfault
Oct 17, 2009 10:24 AM
it is the cities fault in the first place for running business out of downtown by letting all the little strip malls pop up around town. Columbus could have a very neat and inviting downtown with some planning. upscale appartments above the businesses on the first floor. little restaurants, bars, sidewalk cafe's, shops and such would be neat. need a mix of day and night life business to work outviolet
Oct 17, 2009 11:46 AM
a phone call apology?? no face to face apology?? seems the easy way out of a very negative situation.downtown shopping, friendly stores? i don't think so.
Sand Bur
Oct 17, 2009 2:18 PM
If this wonderful excuse of a Mayor is really sorry. He needs to get a tatoo, something like maybe a braying jack---. That would be right for him.No wonders the down town area is going no where with him and his attitude. If he was so worried about the image of downtown what did he do about the Green Lantern. By the way some nice dressed church going men hung out in that dump. Perhaps if they had worn black leather, had tattoos or studs, the place would have been shut down.
People like me have learned to take our shopping dollars out of town or to an internet site. I am happy to say my daughers Sax was purchased in Lincoln.
joe
Oct 17, 2009 2:35 PM
Apology in a phone call. That is a bit limp. Reminds me of getting fired by finding a letter on your desk.hmm
Oct 17, 2009 5:20 PM
To brian:Thanks for one of the best laughs of the day...I'm trying to imagine Jan Moser with a tattoo. Funny stuff!
jt
Oct 17, 2009 8:30 PM
SandBur, There is sure no difference between you and the Mayor. He thinks I am a bad person because I have a tatoo. You think I am a bad person because I like to look at the female body. Hypocrits like you need to mind your own business and we would all be better off.Sand But
Oct 18, 2009 8:36 AM
JT- My post was pointing out that the way people dress and present themselves is not always an indication that they are good or bad. Was an Adult book store any better or worse than a tattoo shop. Why was no effort made to shut down the book store I do not see that is was any asset to the image of Columbus Can you tell me what was good about it and the people it attracted. I have no problem with tattoos. I do have a problem with porno.
Also is seems like the Mayor did not care what was on the south side of the tracks, just what went on next door to his business. He has the power of Mayor for the good of the City and not for himself.
me
Oct 18, 2009 10:02 AM
Would the mayor have said sorry if he had not been called out, bet not. Too little, too late.RESIGN
Oct 18, 2009 10:45 AM
The mayor called and asked if there were any unresolved issues? Appartenly if a common citzen was being bullied by a mayor and had to go to the press for help. Kind of reminds me of 11 on your side. GET OUT OF OFFICE MR. MAYOR AND LET THE CITY ADVANCE!!! I will sign a petition to get him out of office. Who else is with me.
Hobo
Oct 18, 2009 12:27 PM
Mr. Mayor, Be at the depot at noon, there is a train coming through about every 12-15 minutes that you can get on. It will be easy, and everyone else in town can wave as you go by because all of the crossings will be blocked as usual. Bye, Bye!Old news
Oct 18, 2009 5:28 PM
So.. this conversation happened back in June. The Telegram just got wind of it now and decided to do an article? If they want to keep up with the likes of the Enquirer they will need to be more expedient with their stories. I hope the tatoo place does their advertising with the Telegram as I wouldn't expect Columbus Music to.
Late Par for the Course
Oct 19, 2009 8:08 AM
Maybe the issue is that it happened in June and it took until now for someone to realize he needed to apologize. The bottom line - it sounds very hollow simply because it happened after the aggressor realized he was on the carpet. As far as the Telegram reporting it - someone is simply trying to "kill the messenger". It seems this whole deal is a carbon copy of an incident where a widow asked for a refund of a yearly city golf membership. Her husband had played only a couple rounds of golf before he became very ill and later passed away. The city realized they didn't have a policy to deal with the issue. The mayor responded to the request with anger at the newspaper for printing the story becoming argumentative and showing a lack of compassion with regard to the widow's personal well being especially when it was during the time of mourning. Both incidents show a lack of class and tunnel vision - not a person who Columbus residents can easily respect and want for a small town leader such as Columbus. Tough issues are hard to handle but a man's integrity and respect for others(whether he is the mayor or not) can be the right-hand-man.
Levi
Oct 19, 2009 8:18 AM
The Telegrams pathetic misuse of editorial perogative is amazing.Bottom line Tattoo parlours attract and serve a very particular demographic. This demographic is linked to blight, and crime. I can understand why an entrepenuer wouldn't want this business located next door.
It is perfectly legal to open a Tattoo parlour in Columbus. It is an American right to be able to voice opposition to it.
How dare the Telegram and a handful of creatins try and stifle anyone free speech rights.
crazy day
Oct 19, 2009 8:49 AM
Stop all of this name calling and pull the town togather.WOW,the ones that want to get him out of office is big talk and know very well they aren't going to and look at the hurt that has be brought upon his family that had no part of this.No one is perfect including the mayor or of any of you that have to stoop so low to call names.Heaven forbid this happen last June someone just wanted to stir-up the pot.I think it is time for the Columbus Telegram to clean the paper up and be once again a good reading paper.
Realist
Oct 19, 2009 9:45 AM
Are you SERIOUS LEVI! Your IGNORANCE is very OBVIOUS! That right there is making disrespectful and uneducated comments. That also shows everyone that you are judgemental. So with your theory, I can safely say with your "comment" that all industrial jobs that are brought into town as well as meat packing plants bring nothing but crime and non-green card bearing person(s). That is ridiculous. You need to definately get a clue!mom
Oct 19, 2009 10:51 AM
Glad he gets to open his shop and glad the major apoligized..When it opens i will go check it out.We need shops downtown and all different kinds of walks, thats what would make it interesting again.To Levi
Oct 19, 2009 12:04 PM
If you are familiar with demographics, you should also be familiar with brownfields and greenfields. Which applies to downtown Columbus? Then, maybe think of demographics in relation to the answer.brownfields and greenfields
Oct 19, 2009 2:54 PM
It is really interesting to watch when people get into an arguement. One person will almost always seem to try to justify their point by attemption to flex a sole intellectual muscle. Why not make your point clear to everyone posting rather than trying to use vocabulary to appear credible?
by the way -
Browfield - Unused or undersused sites
greenfield - Virgin site, typically farmland
Detailed Definition
Oct 19, 2009 7:04 PM
Looks like you choice your definition very carefully. Here is a better definition of brownfields - "Abandoned and idle industrial and commercial sites in cities and other urban areas sometimes characterized by environmental degradation and contamination. The term "brownfield" is used to distinguish these sites from "greenfields," undeveloped land outside of cities and urban areas".The relationship to downtown Columbus - it's not prime real estate so maybe some people are putting too much value on their site and at the same time discouraging others to enlist which seems to lack feasibility considering the condition of the neighborhood. Maybe that's why the city council is considering downtown living as an alternative..... nah........
Overly tired
Oct 20, 2009 7:32 AM
I think any business that will bring more business to our dead downtown is great! It sucks that the only reason we have more cars downtown is because the viaduct is CLOSED and so is 12TH AND 18TH ST.LIAR
Oct 20, 2009 3:49 PM
his apology was just to cover his butt. im sorry but i know for sure he still dont want the new tat shop. i was in bogeys the other day and over heard the mayor myself saying he still didnt want it that he said the apology to get people off of his case.
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