ABC OKs 2 Licenses, But No Votes Send Businesses To State Board
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Daniel Riordan-driordan@timesuniononline.com
Two businesses were approved for beer and wine licenses by 3-1 votes Thursday afternoon.
During the Kosciusko County Alcoholic Beverage Commission meeting, both Wilby's in Syracuse and Walgreens in Warsaw were approved 3-1 with board member Elim Smith voting against both times.
Since the votes weren't unanimous, the final approval will go to the state's alcohol beverage commission, which meets the first and third Tuesday of each month.Until then and until the businesses have their permits, they will be unable to sell alcohol at their respective locations.
Smith noted that every time the county board has voted against a business getting a permit, the state has overruled them.
"I guess they don't want to lose the revenue," said Smith.
"I'm going to continue to vote my conscience even if I know the state will overrule us," said Smith.
Smith said he has in the past and will continue to vote against filling stations and pharmacies getting licenses.
Wilby's owner Scott Williams and attorney Jack Birch were on hand to ask for that business's permit.
"Why do you feel the need to sell alcohol?" asked Smith.
Williams said that because of competition in Syracuse, he needs to offer the same products other places do.
Walgreens district manager Will Kennedy and Warsaw store manager Johnathan Goss were on hand to present its business's case.
Kennedy also pointed to competition and said Walgreens has numerous safeguards in place to guard against the sale of alcohol to underage patrons.
Kennedy said Walgreens had beer and wine in its Indiana stores until 1995 and just recently decided to pursue putting alcohol back into its Indiana stores.
Currently, 180 out of 200 Walgreens locations in Indiana can sell alcohol.
While Smith voted against granting the license, board members Gordon Vanator and Kenneth Johnson voted in favor of both Wilby's and Walgreens as did excise officer April Tackett.
The Great Wall and Bennigans, both in Warsaw, were granted renewals despite violations for both businesses in February.
Since the violations haven't been processed yet, after paying a fine the businesses won't have to answer to the violations until their next renewal hearing in two years.
The following businesses had their permits renewed with no violations:
