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What's happening to Pontoon Beach?

Posted by Andy <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/GraniteGossip/info/user=Andy' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 21, 2023, 11:55 pm

I admit that I don't drive through Pontoon Beach very often anymore. It's mostly when I'm passing through to go to Collinsville or out to Tres Caminos for some of my favorite tacos. The other evening I made the mistake of stopping in a new place called the Liquor Mart or something close to that.

I wanted to grab a couple of things as I was passing through. This place, I don't even know where to start other than how in the hell did this place get a business license? Secondly, how are they keeping this business license? This place is a disgusting, dirty, stinking empty building filled with empty shelves without a single product to sell.

That's right, you're reading that right. They didn't have ONE SINGLE ITEM on the shelves, all empty and dusty and dirty. Against my better judgement and only because I had no choice in the moment, I ran in to use the bathroom as my wife waited in the car. This bathroom was one of the worst public bathrooms I've ever been in and at my age, and I've been in plenty!

I suggest not stepping one foot into this business unless you are up to date on your tetanus shot. There was one employee sitting on a metal folding chair near the front door. A relative or someone of the same nationality entered the store from the back and pulled up a chair and sat down and they began piping some extremely loud middle eastern speech or rally into the store so loud it was quite unbelievable.

Needless to say I just left as soon as I came out of that health hazard of a bathroom since they didn't have a single item to sell on a shelf. That screaming rally or speech was amped up to that level I'm sure to see my reaction. They didn't get one and I can say without a bit of uncertainty that I will never walk back into that place.

From what I seen just on a quick drive thru, Pontoon Beach is looking like complete sh*t. Over flowing dumpsters with broken down fencing all falling down that is supposed to be enclosing the dumpster, sitting right on Pontoon Road near that laundry mat. The eye sore property of DJ's Garage, that place needs to be fenced or something to hide that mess, it looks like a junk yard sitting on the busiest road in the village.

What in the hell is up with the banged up, crumbled and mangled fencing that's been laying in pieces for months right on Pontoon Road over the lake? Why has that mess been left like that for months? It looks like the guy who owns Linny's is the only one left out there who cares what the village looks like. What has happened to this place?

Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?

Posted by gcgrad98 <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/GraniteGossip/info/user=gcgrad98' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 22, 2023, 12:13 am, in reply to "What's happening to Pontoon Beach?"

I agree with you on that business. I think they used the front of a mini mart to open for gambling machines, or something else. I am not sure why the daycare has not been fined for their dumpster enclosure or the wrecked car that has been parked there for months.
As for DJs it was cleaned up a few days ago, I noticed it as I drove by, but then a few days later, tons of cars back there.
The fence, was damaged in a vehicle accident. I am sure they are waiting on payment/replacement. However, the upstanding gentlemen that decided they needed to fish from the sidewalk a few months ago, pushed the one section down.Im not sure if it's in the lake now or what.
I know residents or trying, the mayor and trustees try. I know we can only do so much. Certain things have to go through the county and from village meetings, that takes forever sometimes. A resident put together a litter cleanup along 111 last spring/summer-only a small amount of people showed, that included the mayor and a few trustees. No one seems to take pride anymore

Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?

Posted by MeadowMutt <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/GraniteGossip/info/user=MeadowMutt' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 22, 2023, 2:25 am, in reply to "What's happening to Pontoon Beach?"

I'm glad someone else is seeing this besides me. I didn't want to say anything not living in the beach any longer but...Pontoon Beach has become what Fairmont City is to Collinsville and what Venice or Madison is to Granite City. This area needs cleaned up, the entire length of Pontoon Road, once you cross over the tracks into the village looks terrible all the way to to hwy 111.

Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?

Posted by Joe Smith <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/GraniteGossip/info/user=Joe+Smith' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 22, 2023, 1:35 pm, in reply to "Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?"

Ok ok, i cant accept that Pontoon Beach doesnt remind anyone of Ladue, but its not that bad is it??

Covid fizzled out, unleash the smoke.

Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?

Posted by The Snake <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/GraniteGossip/info/user=The+Snake' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 22, 2023, 5:56 pm, in reply to "What's happening to Pontoon Beach?"

You think all of this is bad, you should take a drive out on the South end of St. Thomas Rd and also while you are out in the area go on East on W.Chain of Rocks Rd!!! I have property next door to me on St. Thomas Rd that is supposed to be a Auto repair shop but it is Strickley a pure JUNK Yard and has been this way for YEARS NOW!!! And the county has allowed this to happen after 3 or 4 plus the township begged them not to allow it!!! Then on W. Chain or Rocks Rd there is another repair shop that has cars parked up and down the shoulder for months. THANK YOU MADISON COUNTY GOV.Your taxpayers appreciate your fine service!!!!!.

Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?

Posted by opinionated <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/GraniteGossip/info/user=opinionated' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 22, 2023, 6:06 pm, in reply to "Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?"

Does the Village have a city inspector? If so, report it.

Where your post lost me is when you said, "of the same nationality". You sound like you have a problem with them based on that. So the music bothered you because it wasn't country? Come on.

Did you bother to ask why they were out of product? Were they just opened recently? Maybe that's the way to approach these things but hey, at least they didn't have a pay toilet you had to use.

they did not fail, because they did what their country asked of them....

Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?

Posted by Andy <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/GraniteGossip/info/user=Andy' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 22, 2023, 10:52 pm, in reply to "Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?"

The situation went right over your head. Point being, I shouldn't have to report it. People are looking at this same mess, and it's not my personal opinion, it is the appearance of the area and how it's been allowed to get into this shape.

My post lost you when I stated "same nationality"? Me using the word nationality triggered you enough to miss the point of the post? Look up the meaning of the word before you go full blown melt down mode. SMDH. They were of the same nationality because they were able to speak to each other in their native tongue and could not speak English.

I could not care less where these guys were from, but you go ahead and try to make it all about that. If that were an issue for me, as soon as I walked in and noticed they could not speak English or that they were not from this country, I would have walked right back out the door.

I spoke to the guy who was sitting near the front door as soon as I entered. He looked me straight in the face and could not answer back because he could not speak English, again let me say, him not being able to speak English was not a problem, many immigrants can't when they first get here and with time they will learn enough to function and get by.

Now, let me ask you this, where did I mention in my post that they were playing music? I didn't. But nice way to try to twist the facts in an attempt to make your case. What I did have an issue with was the place being disgustingly dirty, stinky, and being licensed as a liquor (mini mart) when they didn't have one single item on the shelves to sell, and the fact that this place could never pass a health department inspection if they dared to enter the bathroom. This situation is not as you suggested where they possibly didn't get deliveries of goods. This place has been open for business for a while now.

When the second man entered from out of the back and sat with the employee as I was walking into the bathroom, they decided to blast some radical sounding political speech or rally at such a ridiculous volume that my wife could hear it through the closed door of the store and inside our running car in the parking lot. This was a FAR cry from a store employee enjoying a little loud music. It wasn't music at all, it was the 2 guys deliberately blasting some screaming, chanting mob of thousands at some sort of rally at a volume level that was intended to spark a reaction out of me.

Let's call a duck a duck. If Pontoon Beach wants to allow the slot gaming machine businesses in, I am all for it, that is their business and if it brings in tax dollars I say why not. But you can't allow an empty building to hang a mini mart/liquor store sign on the door and fill it with gaming machines and nothing else and call it a mini mart. I have no idea how this place ever passed an inspection to open with the bathroom full of peep holes all around the plumbing and pipes.

Jack's Place and Food & Brews out there are a perfect example of how it's done right. They are clean and modern gaming establishments with clean bathrooms that offer beverages. This so-called mini mart is nothing more than a nasty eyesore in the neighborhood.

Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?

Posted by Joe Smith <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/GraniteGossip/info/user=Joe+Smith' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 22, 2023, 10:58 pm, in reply to "Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?"

I think his rant consisted of quite a bit more than just music, political Mid-Eastern speeches, and the owner's nationality. The way his comments sounded to me was as though he wasn't too impressed about one single thing in the place and he wanted to paint that picture. Now I admit that it may have been a little too detailed for some, but you have to agree he did appear to get his point across pretty well. I have been in that store a few times right after it opened and at that time it wasn't that bad.

Also to be fair, this is a place where a lot of lower-income people go to buy alcohol and tobacco products, it's not Macy's. Many businesses have been run into the ground since the great Covid debacle, which is exactly what the Governor of this state wanted.

Covid fizzled out, unleash the smoke.

Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?

Posted by gcgrad98 <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/GraniteGossip/info/user=gcgrad98' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 23, 2023, 12:28 am, in reply to "Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?"

I think there may be confusion on which "mini-mart" is being discussed. The liquor store where Leroys used to be is clean, nice, well stocked. The one that is located in the old gym by shirts galore, that is the one I believe he is referring to? I wondered about it as soon as the sign went up,everytime I drove by the doors were open but it was empty inside. Then the open sign turned on and nothing had changed.

Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?

Posted by opinionated <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/GraniteGossip/info/user=opinionated' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 23, 2023, 6:49 am, in reply to "Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?"

“Radical sounding political speech” yet you didn’t know what they were saying because they don’t speak English. Flat out youre a racist.

I bet you pissed on their floor just to make a point.

they did not fail, because they did what their country asked of them....

Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?

Posted by opinionated <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/GraniteGossip/info/user=opinionated' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 23, 2023, 6:58 am, in reply to "Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?"

P.S. you could have talked about a dirty store with no stock without mentioning their nationality. Own it!

they did not fail, because they did what their country asked of them....

Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?

Posted by Joe Smith <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/GraniteGossip/info/user=Joe+Smith' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 23, 2023, 10:35 am, in reply to "Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?"

I could be wrong, but I believe he was trying to give everyone his entire shopping experience. He claimed the people in the store couldn't speak English, and that did seem like a bit of an overreach, maybe they just didn't want to speak English just because he entered the premises. I think that is a little bit rude, but whatever. If you can communicate with a customer, I think it's good business to do so.

If I go into a store and I hear a noise volume to the extreme that was described, I'm sorry, but I would notice if it was Country Western music or shouting Mid-Eastern political rants. Between those two options, im not sure which would make me exit the place the fastest. I'd notice if it was Donald Trump or even a babbling China Joe Biden. If it was Celine Dion I would notice even more, because of all the others mentioned, she would be at the very bottom of my list of things to be annoyed of.

Covid fizzled out, unleash the smoke.

Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?

Posted by Andy <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/GraniteGossip/info/user=Andy' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 23, 2023, 1:51 pm, in reply to "Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?"

The dump I am talking about is in the old gym building, not the newly built liquor store where Leroy's was. Calling me a racist is nothing more than you searching for something to find fault with over someone else daring to start a conversation on here, other than yourself.

They didn't start blasting that speech/rally until I damn near had my zipper in hand walking into the bathroom, so there was no all stop at that point. I used the bathroom and made my exit straight away.

Blasting that speech/rally or whatever it may have been at the volume level they did was intentional period, and effective as I said before, I won't go back.

Mentioning their nationality was part of this experience and that is why I mentioned it. You don't like that Mr. wanna be board boss, scroll on, it's just that simple.

Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?

Posted by Joe Smith <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/GraniteGossip/info/user=Joe+Smith' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 23, 2023, 3:32 pm, in reply to "Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?"

Opinionated isn't a Caucasian Woke leftist who feels they must point out who is and isn't a racist. I think something else in your speel may have set him off and he saw an opportunity to try to minimize you and your comments by playing the race card and he took it. For the most part, I see this as good entertainment for the board, but maybe it's time to move on. Maybe next time just do a Yelp review.

Covid fizzled out, unleash the smoke.

Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?

Posted by opinionated <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/GraniteGossip/info/user=opinionated' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 23, 2023, 4:25 pm, in reply to "Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?"

Correct Joe. I know the difference between playing the race card and pointing out the obvious.

Again, had he posted that the store was dirty and unstocked, I would have taken that as warning not to go into such a business.

Again today, he mentions their tone and the intent of raising their voices and that calls for his understanding what's in their mind. That's what makes it a bigoted comment.

Just say the place was dirty, there was no stock and the employees were loud and rude. The same can be said about the majority of McDonald's restaurants in the country.

they did not fail, because they did what their country asked of them....

Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?

Posted by Andy <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/GraniteGossip/info/user=Andy' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 23, 2023, 6:33 pm, in reply to "Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?"

Wow, this is like shooting fish in a barrel. To say that you've lost your edge is an understatement. You really need to consider retiring from the keyboard as you've became dull and delusional.

"he mentions their tone" Sorry old man, try reading again, that never happened.

" the intent of raising their voices" wow, again, I never said or typed this, it didn't happen.

"employees were loud and rude" I never said this either.

Where are coming up with this sh*t you delusional old fool?

Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?

Posted by opinionated <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/GraniteGossip/info/user=opinionated' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 23, 2023, 11:41 pm, in reply to "Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?"

That screaming rally or speech was amped up to that level I'm sure to see my reaction. They didn't get one and I can say without a bit of uncertainty that I will never walk back into that place.

Those are your words sonny.

Tone, “screaming “
Intent, “Im sure for my reaction”
Rude, why because they didn’t help you in the bathroom?

Maybe next time dot go into a liquor store just to take a leak.

they did not fail, because they did what their country asked of them....

Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?

Posted by Andy <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/GraniteGossip/info/user=Andy' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 23, 2023, 11:57 pm, in reply to "Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?"

It was their sound system or computer or TV or radio or some kind of device, not their voices you SENILE buffoon! Figure it out simpleton, there was no "tone".

Show me where I mentioned they were rude. You can't because you're rewriting the post to fit your narrative. Give it up and do yourself a favor and stay off your keyboard, you're making an ass out of yourself and just too senile to realize it.

Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?

Posted by opinionated <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/GraniteGossip/info/user=opinionated' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 24, 2023, 6:37 am, in reply to "Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?"

Geez sonny, you’re so temperamental. Changing the narrative doesn’t make you any less a racist.

they did not fail, because they did what their country asked of them....

Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?

Posted by Joe Smith <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/GraniteGossip/info/user=Joe+Smith' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 24, 2023, 8:15 am, in reply to "Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?"

I'm not all that keen on someone breaking out the racist tag, thats what white liberals do when they are losing an argument. Several years back every conservative on here was pegged as a racist by somebody, it's just the way it was. You can lose a lot of the actual intent when reading the written word, rather than talking directly with someone. I read a lot of posts and wonder, what the hell are they trying to say? Andy, there is no age requirement to post on this board, so maybe try another angle other than that. My grandpa used to tell me that young fools grow up to be old fools. All I have to say is that a lot of those old fools have a lot of wisdom. This whole thing although somewhat amusing could have been avoided. Pick a topic where everyone can dig in instead of this back-and-forth, you're a racist, you're an old fool nonsense. I like the action, just not over stupid sh*t like this.

Im usually find myself in these little skirmishes, hell maybe im jealous. As ridiculous as it sounds, im just trying to say, play nice.

Covid fizzled out, unleash the smoke.

Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?

Posted by opinionated <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/GraniteGossip/info/user=opinionated' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 24, 2023, 8:43 am, in reply to "Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?"

Joe, it’s all in fun. Until golf season starts, GCG mind games is just an activity to have a good time. I drove by the place last night. Didn’t see any “middle easterners” but the shelves did look empty.

they did not fail, because they did what their country asked of them....

Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?

Posted by Andy <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/GraniteGossip/info/user=Andy' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 24, 2023, 2:37 pm, in reply to "Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?"

Playing GCG mind games may have been in your league back in the days of free pancake specials at IHOP and when you loved to belittle parents from your old school days, now your attempts at it are just a little predictable and sad pal. And at the advice of the know-it-all I do believe it really is time to move on to the next subject.

Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?

Posted by opinionated <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/GraniteGossip/info/user=opinionated' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 24, 2023, 3:02 pm, in reply to "Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?"

So move on.

they did not fail, because they did what their country asked of them....

Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?

Posted by 3Dee <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/GraniteGossip/info/user=3Dee' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 24, 2023, 4:56 pm, in reply to "Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?"

As the witness of people losing arguments against me all the time, I can readily say that a person is losing an argument when they start throwing ad hominem insults or make it about the poster instead of staying with the argument.

After watching people try to defend the lies of Trumpism and argue unsuccessfully for its legitimacy, they can never stay with the issue and have make it about the poster. An ideology built on lies has no other option but to eventually falter.

In this case, it seems like someone was quick to call Opinionated SENILE.

Checkmate...and they often do it to themselves.

Besides, if the guy notes that the clerk doesn't speak English, then how can he discern what is being played? Is the guy proficient in Middle Eastern languages? How can he rightly say that it's a 'radical speech'?

Now to get Opinionated to see the truth in other topics....we're still working on that.

When you ban books before you ban guns, you've admitted that you're more afraid of children learning than you are of children dying.

Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?

Posted by opinionated <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/GraniteGossip/info/user=opinionated' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 24, 2023, 8:00 pm, in reply to "Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?"

Well said and so noted Dee. I think it’s time to start golfing and stop arguing.

they did not fail, because they did what their country asked of them....

Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?

Posted by Joe Smith <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/GraniteGossip/info/user=Joe+Smith' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 24, 2023, 10:14 pm, in reply to "Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?"

Only Dee can make a tiff about a local liquor store into a Trump rant. They can't or won't defend this current tool that is effing up everything he touches but they can still muster up enough energy to rag on Trump.

Covid fizzled out, unleash the smoke.

Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?

Posted by 3Dee <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/GraniteGossip/info/user=3Dee' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 24, 2023, 11:35 pm, in reply to "Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?"

Probably... Yup...

Outside time is not a bad thing, unless you forgot your keys and locked the door on the way out.

When you ban books before you ban guns, you've admitted that you're more afraid of children learning than you are of children dying.

Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?

Posted by Bluangel <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/GraniteGossip/info/user=Bluangel' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on March 1, 2023, 10:23 pm, in reply to "Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?"

Opie, I think 3Dee just said you were being indoctrinated.

"Life only comes from life" ~ Louis Pasteur (Law of Biogenesis)

Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?

Posted by Bluangel <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/GraniteGossip/info/user=Bluangel' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on March 1, 2023, 10:26 pm, in reply to "Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?"

President Biden has really put tremendous stress on Americans.

"Life only comes from life" ~ Louis Pasteur (Law of Biogenesis)

Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?

Posted by Bluangel <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/GraniteGossip/info/user=Bluangel' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on March 1, 2023, 10:28 pm, in reply to "Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?"

Pontoon beach is a melting pot.

"Life only comes from life" ~ Louis Pasteur (Law of Biogenesis)

Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?

Posted by Joe Smith <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/GraniteGossip/info/user=Joe+Smith' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on March 2, 2023, 3:54 am, in reply to "Re: What's happening to Pontoon Beach?"

It's a lower-middle-class village in a deranged Deep Blue state. It's nothing great, but it also isn't the end of the world.

Covid fizzled out, unleash the smoke.

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