Published: July 25, 2008 09:50 am      

COBRA to go countywide

CLINTON — The Clinton Organized Bar and Restaurant Association is looking to branch out and create a sister organization consisting of bars and restaurants in Clinton County.

COBRA was founded in January 2006 by Jonathan Van Roekel in response to city ordinance changes governing bar licensing and under-21 exemptions. The group was created on the premise of offering bar and restaurant owners and employees the benefits of a better understanding of city ordinances, guidance to new bar owners going through the licensing process and creating representation for local taverns at city council and state regulations meetings.

Since its inception, COBRA member establishments have participated in TIPS training and other educational opportunities, worked with vendors to improve bulk buying power to reduce overhead expenses and participated in fundraisers for local residents, a toy drive for Clinton High School and a food drive for the Victory Center. Members of the organization maintain communication with local and state legislators regarding topics important to the food and beverage industry.

Recently, the organization has been involved in discussions with Clinton City Council members and city staff regarding sprinkler system requirements and high rates for water usage, license/inspection fee increases, incident reporting procedures, proposed requirements for outdoor service areas and other property rights issues. The organization has begun a letter-writing campaign against current Dram Shop laws, worked to increase voter registration and partnered with the newly formed Iowa Bar Owners Coalition to file a lawsuit against the state of Iowa and petition for an injunction against the smoking ban. Van Roekel, president of the association, said COBRA is making an impact on local, state and national issues related to the food and beverage industry.

Other officers of the city-based association include Vice President Gordy Carroll, co-owner of The Odeon and Club 110; Secretary Shelly Brewer, owner of the Silver Dollar Saloon; and Treasurer Brian Dalton, owner of Patrick’s Steakhouse. Grafitti Manager April Diss serves as membership director.

Due to inquiries from bar and restaurants throughout the county, COBRA members have decided to gauge interest in expanding the association by creating a sister organization. A meeting will be 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Podunk Palace, 224 Main St. in Goose Lake, to explain membership, bylaws, voting, activities and focus. COBRA officials say the countywide organization would be based on similar principles and procedures.

COBRA is open to all bar and restaurant owners in the city of Clinton and their employees. Any establishment can join the association by paying annual dues of $50, which entitles it to attend meetings and to have a vote in any association rulings.

Employees of Clinton establishments may join the organization for $5 per year and will not be allowed to vote. A representative of each member establishment will have a single vote, but votes are limited to one per establishment in order to make voting equal to both large and small businesses.

Employee members receive membership cards which are usable at any of the participating establishments and are good for drink and food purchase discounts. Employees of bars and restaurants can join the association even if the establishment they work for is not a member. Meetings are held every month for voting members of the organization to discuss association business. The meetings are held on the second Thursday of every month at rotating locations so owners can visit other establishments within the city.

Every third month, the association holds a general meeting at which any members can attend.

According to COBRA members, if a county organization is formed, initial meetings would focus on informing members, setting bylaws and electing officers.

Anyone interested in attending the meeting or joining the association can call Podunk Palace at (563) 577-2298.