Split Vote Sends Pak-A-Sak Alcohol Request to State
Posted
Daniel Riordan-driordan@timesuniononline.com
A request by Pak-A-Sak convenience store in Pierceton will go before the state’s alcoholic beverage commission after a 2-2 vote at the local level.
As has been his policy since serving on the Kosciusko County Alcoholic Beverage Commission, board member Elim Smith voted against the request for a new beer and wine license at the location since it also is a gas station.
Board member Gordon Vanator also decided to vote against the request while board member Kenneth Johnson and excise officer April Tackett voted for the request.
Gary Tabor, director of marketing for Pak-A-Sak locations in Indiana and Ohio, was on hand to petition for the permit.
Tabor said thinner profit margins in fuel sales has caused the move for gas stations to begin selling alcohol.
“I will vote against it and you can bypass us and go to the state. And they will approve it,” said Vanator, “which is really irritating to me as a board member.”
Vanator said it gave too easy of an access to teenagers.
Tabor said there are controls in place in his stores and that anyone who looks under 40 will be carded.
The state commission can either vote to approve Pak-A-Sak’s permit request or it may send it back to the county level.
The following renewals with no violations were approved:
– The Bowling Alley, Warsaw
– Fraternal Order of Eagles, Syracuse
– Bulldog Saloon, Mentone
A new license for United Deli in Pierceton was continued until the board’s February meeting.
Vanator was re-elected as the board president for 2012.
