BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. (828newsNOW) — As the conflict between Black Mountain Brewing and town of Black Mountain over permits and closures at the brewery continues, BMB has received a cease and desist letter from Black Mountain Planning Director Michelle Kennedy alleging “continued personal attacks” from the business owners.
The letter has come to the brewery in the aftermath of a town council meeting on Monday, Dec. 8, where Kennedy admitted the town had “made mistakes,” and the resignation of Town Manager Josh Harrold announced on Wednesday, Dec. 10.
In the letter, which BMB posted on Facebook on Friday, Dec. 12 with their response, Kennedy wrote:
“While I understand that you are frustrated, let me be clear that I will not tolerate personal attacks on either myself or my staff. Yes, prior town staff made errors. That, however, does not absolve you of the responsibility to maintain your property within compliance standards. It does also not excuse unpermitted work.
Kennedy maintained that the town was willing to work with BMB to resolve the violations cited against the brewery, but said she “will no longer tolerate your continued personal attacks” and that “effective immediately, you must cease and desist disseminating false and defamatory statements regarding my integrity and/or character.”
If BMB should “fail to comply,” Kennedy indicated she would seek legal action against the business.
On Facebook, BMB released a rebuttal against Kennedy’s accusation, stating that “asking for accountability and transparency from Town Officials is not a personal attack.”
“The admission of un- or under-qualified inspectors employed by the Town for years only came to light AFTER a grassroots campaign and investigative reporting. This massive error in administration and the subsequent failure to admit it until under the spotlight is a massive red flag waving over our Town Hall,” the brewery wrote. “We believe that Town Officials have demonstrated a pattern of misleading the public through omission, failure to communicate in a timely manner, and have not taken proper responsibility for the actions of “former employees” which have negatively affected several Black Mountain businesses.”
In response, the business has called for the town council to suspend all members of the Black Mountain Planning and Zoning Department indefinitely, pending an independent investigation.
Read our previous reporting below:
