CITY councillor Russ Wyatt bought a round of drinks for some of his friends at the embattled Empire Cabaret Friday night -- proof, he said, that the city's thugs can't scare good people from the downtown.
"I'm looking forward to enjoying the evening," Wyatt said as he walked into the Main Street bar with his wife, Janet and fellow councillor, Jeff Browaty.
Wyatt, chairman of city council's downtown development committee, had offered to buy a drink for any public official who joined him at the popular downtown Main Street club following a shooting there early Sunday morning.
A fight had broken out in the club at about 2 a.m. between two groups of men. One of the men pulled out a handgun and started firing, hitting four people who weren't involved in the dispute. The four people were taken to hospital but none received life-threatening injuries.
Wyatt said he was going back to the club to demonstrate that Winnipeggers will not be intimidated by the city's criminals.
"It's important that we send a message that says we're confident about the future of our city and the downtown is a place where the private sector can invest in," Wyatt said before arriving at the Empire club.
The Empire Cabaret was also the scene of a Halloween fundraiser organized by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Friday night.
Liberal MP Tina Keeper, dressed for the event, said she believes the club's owner has provided proper security for the fundraiser.
"I'm here to support the fundraiser and promote downtown Winnipeg," Keeper said.
Joining Wyatt and Browaty was Coun. Harvey Smith, Ross McGowan, CEO of CentreVenture and Lisa Holowchuk, executive director of the Exchange District BIZ.
Holowchuk said the downtown and Exchange areas are a thriving community, attracting new businesses, and it's a safe area.
"Downtown has turned the corner," Holowchuk said.
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Steve Ashton said at the club Friday night he and Wyatt thought up the event to show their support for the downtown area.
"Last weekend's shooting could have happened anywhere," he said.
" The Empire is an anchor for the downtown area. We don't want what happened last week to be a setback for the downtown.
Coun. Gord Steeves, chairman of the civic protection committee that oversees the police service, said he wouldn't join Wyatt because it was wrong of Tummillo to blame police for the shooting.
Club owner Sabino Tummillo said he's beefed up security since last week's shooting and tougher measures will be brought in in the coming days.
aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca
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