"Although no action was taken, there was plenty of discussion regarding alcohol sales at the North Central Missouri Fair during Monday night’s meeting of the Trenton City Council. Jennifer Hottes Urich, who owns the Black Silo Winery along with her husband, Duane, addressed the council concerning an incident in which she claims councilman Jim Bush contacted police to have her removed from the grandstand area, where she was selling wine at the invitation of the fair board. Mrs. Hottes Urich said that she is still unaware of why he did this, adding that he chose to contact law enforcement instead of speaking with her directly. She went on to say that she feels Bush has “abused the publicly elected position that he currently holds (and)…does not represent the majority of views and opinions of the fourth ward residents, but goes out of his way to incite divide within the city and attack his own constituents.” After other comments regarding the alleged actions by Bush, including what she called a violation of “strict separation of church and state pertaining to city business,” Mrs. Hottes Urich asked the council to “demand an immediate resignation letter” from Bush, along with a public apology for his “blatant lack of tact.” She also mentioned involvement of legal counsel “if needed,” adding “we feel that the right of choice should be enjoyed by all, not dictated by few.” In response, Bush said “if you have a problem with me, then come after me and I’ll come after you.” During a meeting in July, the council approved an ordinance allowing the NCMFair Board to sell “intoxicating liquor” in the fenced in area of the grandstand, although the discussion prior to development of the ordinance as well as before its passage centered on beer sales. City Attorney Matt Krohn indicated the ordinance was drawn up under the city’s open container law, which does not discriminate beer from other liquors. It was noted that the license under which the fair board was operating allowed beer and wine only. Fair Board President Rick Hull backed Mrs. Hottes Urich’s statement that she had been invited by the fair board to sell wine, which had been purchased by the fair board and was being served by the Black Silo Winery personnel. Hull’s license through Royal Inn Pizza was the license the board was using for its alcohol sales. Bush disputed Mrs. Hottes Urich’s version of what happened regarding her removal and said that the fair board was not allowed to sell anything but beer under the ordinance. However, it was pointed out that the ordinance included “intoxicating liquor” because of the open container law, although minutes of the March 24 council meeting indicated beer sales only were discussed. When asked by Bush if he voted for beer only in approving the ordinance, councilman Mark Moore said he “voted for the ordinance,” which included the intoxicating liquor listing. Bush accused the fair board of being given “an inch and taking a mile” and “taking a rope and hanging themselves.” He said he felt there was no reason for him to resign over this incident. He indicated that he had over 400 persons contact him, telling him they did not want liquor at the fair, including those who drink and don’t drink. Councilman Mark Robinson said he felt Bush had gone overboard in contacting the police and using his authority as councilman to do so, a charge which Bush denied. While Councilman Chuck Elliott said he saw no harm in allowing the beer and wine, he indicated he would never vote to allow “hard liquor” to be sold at the fairgrounds. Hull again reiterated the license used by the fair board was for beer and wine only. Councilman Larry Huffstutter concluded the discussion by thanking Black Silo for having their business in Trenton."