Canada - Biker says club not interested in city

OFF THE WIRE
A member of the Bacchus Motorcycle Club denies that his group has any interest in setting up shop in Fredericton.

"I can't believe that the city would blow it this much out of proportion," said Minto resident and biker member Ron Richard.

Fredericton city councillors voted Monday to purchase the North Star Sports Bar Pub and Eatery for $500,000.

The city was approached by the bar's owners - the five children of club founder Ken Flinn who died last October - about purchasing the site. Only one of the five heirs works in the bar business.

City councillors voted 10 to 2 to make the purchase on the basis that redevelopment of the property would generate substantially more tax income than the bar does.

The bar generates $15,826 in property and business taxes, but the city gets half of that, while the province collects the rest. By contrast, a 35-unit waterfront condominium development across the street will generate $150,000 in tax revenue when all its units are sold.

The Daily Gleaner learned that during the closed-door discussions with councillors, police Chief Barry MacKnight provided advice to council that the North Star was becoming a magnet for Bacchus and Hells Angels bike members. The two clubs are affiliated.

"I hang out in Fredericton, and I hang out at the North Star and I like to party there and that's all it is. I was born and raised in Fredericton," he said.



"We have no interest in that (bar). Other than going there and having a good time, partying and drinking, that's it."

Richard said there are two members of Bacchus who live in the area.

Not that long ago, members of the Hells Angels stopped at the North Star for drinks.

"They were just passing through," Richard said.

Fifteen Fredericton police officers showed up the same evening to make their presence felt, but there was no ruckus.

"It's complete, utter foolishness when they're going to spend taxpayers' money to do something that retarded. We have no interest in Fredericton," Richard said.

The Bacchus member won't discuss activities elsewhere in the Atlantic region, and word from the RCMP is Bacchus is looking to take up territory in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia after police launched a major campaign against Hells Angels in 2003.

"It's just not happening in Fredericton," Richard said.

The biker, who has family in Fredericton, said all the city's purchase of the bar will do is drive up taxes for city residents.

http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/cityregion/article/1423787