Post by CMF Newsman on Dec 27, 2011 6:53:29 GMT -5
Just weeks after a troubled downtown nightclub closed their doors, another nightspot just blocks down the street is forefront in the news.
Fathom, the music side of Pastor Tim Reid's Mosaic ministry, was the scene of a Christmas Eve shootout between rival gangs that left nine people wounded and raised concerns amongst many in the city.
"This place has consistently been a problem and the owners are not addressing the problem," Mayor Littelfield spokesman Richard Beeland told the Chattanooga Times Free Press. "We are talking to the city attorney to see what our options are."
Police officials say the Christmas Eve incident involved two rival gangs meeting up after the Saturday night event. The ensuing altercation, which resulted in five teens and four adults getting shot, also led to two other shooting incidents in nearby neighborhoods.
Kenneth Love, the newly appointed executive director of the Hamilton County Democratic Party, spoke out against not only the violence at the club, but gun violence in general. “It’s very likely that, given the history of violence at this location, the club should be closed," he said. "And those who used a gun need to be held fully accountable to the full extent of the law."
Yet Pastor Reid, who has not returned any calls for comment from the media, apparently has no intention of closing down Fathom. In a posting on their Facebook, page, Reid states, "We are still having events as planned, this Friday Concert in the Gallery with Bluesmaster Bob Carty!"
Reid also plans to host a "bring your own bottle" New Year's Eve event at the Mosaic Gallery on the ground floor of the 412 Market Street location.
City Council chairwoman Pam Ladd was among the many political voices who spoke out against the violence at the club. "I'm extremely concerned to hear that yet again we have had a disturbance at that establishment," she said. "I'm very concerned with the operations there."
Ladd adds that something needs to be done, and done quickly. "This shouldn't be happening within their walls. But it certainly shouldn't spill out onto the street and open us all up to danger," she said. "We just cannot continue to have that happen in our downtown -- anywhere in our city."
Pastor Reid has had a long history with the city. Back in August of 2009, he ran afoul of Mayor Littlefield after another series of violent incidents involving teens and what police officials believe was gang-related activities. In an interview with the Times Free Press at the time, Littlefield said he felt Reid was "running a business masquerading as a church."
Fathom, the music side of Pastor Tim Reid's Mosaic ministry, was the scene of a Christmas Eve shootout between rival gangs that left nine people wounded and raised concerns amongst many in the city.
"This place has consistently been a problem and the owners are not addressing the problem," Mayor Littelfield spokesman Richard Beeland told the Chattanooga Times Free Press. "We are talking to the city attorney to see what our options are."
Police officials say the Christmas Eve incident involved two rival gangs meeting up after the Saturday night event. The ensuing altercation, which resulted in five teens and four adults getting shot, also led to two other shooting incidents in nearby neighborhoods.
Kenneth Love, the newly appointed executive director of the Hamilton County Democratic Party, spoke out against not only the violence at the club, but gun violence in general. “It’s very likely that, given the history of violence at this location, the club should be closed," he said. "And those who used a gun need to be held fully accountable to the full extent of the law."
Yet Pastor Reid, who has not returned any calls for comment from the media, apparently has no intention of closing down Fathom. In a posting on their Facebook, page, Reid states, "We are still having events as planned, this Friday Concert in the Gallery with Bluesmaster Bob Carty!"
Reid also plans to host a "bring your own bottle" New Year's Eve event at the Mosaic Gallery on the ground floor of the 412 Market Street location.
City Council chairwoman Pam Ladd was among the many political voices who spoke out against the violence at the club. "I'm extremely concerned to hear that yet again we have had a disturbance at that establishment," she said. "I'm very concerned with the operations there."
Ladd adds that something needs to be done, and done quickly. "This shouldn't be happening within their walls. But it certainly shouldn't spill out onto the street and open us all up to danger," she said. "We just cannot continue to have that happen in our downtown -- anywhere in our city."
Pastor Reid has had a long history with the city. Back in August of 2009, he ran afoul of Mayor Littlefield after another series of violent incidents involving teens and what police officials believe was gang-related activities. In an interview with the Times Free Press at the time, Littlefield said he felt Reid was "running a business masquerading as a church."
