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Click Here 43 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, January 30, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend January 16, 2004 Medford club’s liquor license in peril after fight By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune The City Council has decided to send an unfavorable recommendation to the state liquor commission for a new downtown nightclub after the manager was arrested following a brawl outside a club. Eric Vanderwegen was arrested in December for disorderly conduct, harassment and resisting arrest following a fight outside Ground Zero. The arrest occurred just days before the club he manages was scheduled to come up before council for a recommendation to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission. Vanderwegen, 29, is the manager of HighWaters Nightclub and Lounge, at 333 E. Main St., above Hubbard’s Ace Hardware. "I can’t say I’m proud of my actions," Vanderwegen told the Medford City Council during Thursday’s public hearing, "(but) I would probably respond in a similar fashion if it happened again. "I felt that a friend of mine was in physical danger and I responded to that," he said. Advertisement Vanderwegen, who pleaded not guilty in municipal court last week to charges of disorderly conduct, harassment and resisting arrest during the incident, is scheduled for trial April 14. He said he disagrees with the report of a Medford Police Department officer that he was resisting arrest, and that he hadn’t realized it was an officer pulling him from behind. Club owner Brian Vester has stuck by Vanderwegen’s side. "I not only understand his actions at Ground Zero, I applaud them," said Vester, who admitted to the Council he was not present during the incident and had not read the police report. Councilman Jason Anderson said that until the issues have come to some conclusion before the courts he doesn’t feel he can support recommending a liquor license to OLCC. Anderson said the city police force is an asset to a nightclub, and questioned Vanderwegen’s actions. Following the hearing, Vester said in an interview outside council chambers that he isn’t giving up. "We’re not done yet," he said, adding that the restaurant will not open before getting a liquor license. Vanderwegen said he was not surprised by the decision. "It was actually pretty much what I expected," he said. "I think it’s pretty narrow-sighted of them, though, to tie the business into this." He said he plans to be cooperative and not adversarial in the matter. "The police really are our allies, so it’s not a bridge I want to burn," said Vanderwegen. "It (the recommendation) is disappointing, though." Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times