Dear Friends,
Before the holiday season is in full swing and more time slips by, we’d like to thank you for making 2024 such an amazing year! We made huge strides in the work to Save the Speakeasy and Bring Johnny Home (we’ll provide a full recap in the new year). This was only possible because you jumped on-board and wholeheartedly gave us your support. We are so grateful.
You may be wondering where the heck Johnny has been. Well, he’s still living up north in the schoolhouse because AAA hasn’t paid a dime of the court ordered award, which included Alternate Living Expenses. Instead, AAA filed a motion for reconsideration with the court. We don’t expect to hear the outcome from the motion for a few weeks, but at any time AAA could bring an end to this case by working in good faith to reach a settlement that reasonably addresses expectations benefitting Johnny, and not just themselves.
On the brighter side of things, and hopefully something to keep Johnny’s spirits buoyed, is the actual progress being made toward rebuilding. This part takes a while as we work through bureaucracy, but there have been significant inroads with obtaining all the necessary permits from the city to move forward on demolishing the existing structure. One such permit recently enabled us to cap the sewer and water lines.
We are concurrently working on the house plans, which are being rendered into drawings needed to obtain additional permitting and eventually become the blueprints for rebuilding. So, while things may be a bit “quiet” over here, it’s perking along as we work toward the next heavy lift.
As you might suspect, much more is needed in the way of funding, and eventually skilled help too. We have fundraising ideas brewing for the new year, but in this season of giving, and in celebration of Johnny’s 76th birthday on December 20th, we encourage you to keep Save The Speakeasy in mind. It’s easy to donate. Just click HERE! You can see how your contributions are being used by taking a look at the Legal & Financial page.
Again, our sincere thanks for being part of this amazing effort. Here’s to a bright 2025!