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After more than four months of continuances, the Alcoholic Beverage Board of Kosciusko County finally was able to act Thursday on the alcohol permit renewals for Warsaw Bowl.
On Sept. 9, 2003, Warsaw Bowl was cited for public nuisance, professional gambling and possession of gambling devices.
The permit renewal originally was to be heard Dec. 2, with the violations against it. The fines for those violations have been paid.
Jami Wright allegedly was to become sole owner of Warsaw Bowl effective Nov. 1, but because she did not have enough information at the December meeting regarding the violation and transfer of stock, the permit renewal was postponed to the January meeting. The state did not have any paperwork of an official transfer of stock.
At the Jan. 6 ABC meeting, the renewal for the beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permits for Warsaw Bowl, 1702 E. Market St., Warsaw, was postponed to Feb. 2, pending further investigation. At the February meeting, excise officer Patty Fleck continued it again to the March meeting. At the March meeting, Fleck continued it to April 7, saying if the question of ownership was not worked out by Thursday, she would seek to have the permit revoked.
On the day of the special election for the Warsaw School Board, Feb. 8, Warsaw Bowl, which is in the district where the election was held, was cited for selling alcohol during the election. About six to seven other establishments that sell alcohol also were cited but their permits have not come up for renewal yet. By state statute, it is illegal to sell alcohol during any election. Warsaw Bowl was fined $250 and that fine has been paid.
"It seemed like it was kind of picking on people," said Elim Smith, ABC member, of the special election day citations.
At Thursday's meeting, the ABC approved renewing the permit. At the May 5 meeting, the board will hear the petition to transfer the stock to Jami and Ted Wright so Kent Miller no longer is involved in the business. Carrie and John Hersha are in the processing of buying the permit and Warsaw Bowl from the Wrights. The Wrights will hold and be responsible for the alcohol permit until the Hershas meet their legal responsibilities.
"It's a long mess," said Fleck of the whole affair.
The ABC also approved the following renewals, with no violations:
• Rex's Rendezvous, South Buffalo Street, Warsaw, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permits.
• Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1126, West Center Street, Warsaw, beer, wine and liquor retailer permit.
• South Shore Golf Club, Ind. 13N, Syracuse, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permits.
• Acalpulco Restaurant, East Center Street, Warsaw, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permits.
• Wawasee Golf Club, North Bishop Road, Syracuse, beer and wine and Sunday sales retailer permits.
• Huntington Street Bar & Grill, North Huntington Street, Syracuse, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permits.
• Pizza King of Syracuse, South Huntington Street, Syracuse, beer and wine and Sunday sales retailer permits.
• Kmart, Lake City Highway, Warsaw, beer and wine dealer permit.
• Bud's Bar, Main Street, Milford, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permits.
• King's Keg, South Main Street, North Webster, beer, wine and liquor dealer permit.
• Tippecanoe Lake Country Club, North Kalorama Road, Leesburg, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permit.
• American Legion Post 253, South Ind. 13, North Webster, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permits.
Members of the ABC present at Thursday's meeting were excise officer Patty Fleck, Kenneth Johnson and Elim Smith. Not present was board chairman Gordon Vanator. The next ABC meeting is at 1 p.m. in the county courthouse, Warsaw, May 5.
