5/30/14 - Itâs unclear what a Saturday afternoon rally in downtown Brighton will bring but some feel itâs just more attention to an already overplayed issue. Groups of teens and young adults hang out near the Cityâs public restrooms and municipal complex, which is pictured, and located next to the Imagination Station where children are playing. Thatâs where Saturdayâs rally will be held, which was organized by a local political candidate and is titled after the profane phrase 19-year-old Colin Andersen claims to have said under his breath to a police officer who ticketed him for disorderly conduct. Anderson admits to WHMI that he swore but says it was all blown out of proportion and thatâs what the rally aims to address. While Andersen claims the groups of teens are just âhanging outâ, businesses in the area are frustrated, including Sheryl Kemmerling who owns Jacks Custard. She wants the park to be a family place but says businesses regularly have to deal with loud swearing and witness inappropriate behavior such as teens jumping on tables, messing up bathrooms and defacing property. Kemmerling called Saturdayâs rally ridiculous and says itâs also driving away business now because people are being told to stay away from the area. A post on the Brighton Imagination Station Facebook page warns parents that they may want to avoid the area with their children during the noon-time rally Saturday and that itâs predicted some demonstrators will be using foul language and acting inappropriately. (JM)
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