County board hears
comments on liquor
license application
Posted: 2/11/03
by Andrew Miller
Argus News Reporter
County commissioners have tentatively planned on deciding in the next month whether a liquor license application in Money Creek Township will be granted.
The decision came after Corey Coulson, speaking on behalf of Elenor Coulson, his mother and the liquor license applicant, expressed a dissatisfaction with what he termed the ìstall tacticsî the commissioners had been using to delay their decision.
ìWe followed the rules, youíre just delaying this to cause us problems,î Coulson told the board. ìAll the inspections have passed, all the equipment (inspections) has passed, all of it.î
He added, ìWeíre citizens just like everyone else. If this was Kwik Trip would it be happening? Whatís the timeframe, why are you just sitting on it? What more is there to investigate?î
Commissioner Kevin Kelleher and County Attorney Rick Jackson both indicated that the review of the application is ongoing, and that there are several financial aspects of the investigation, such as who has a stake in the business, that still need to be determined.
ìItís incumbent on this board to get all the information to make a decision,î Kelleher said. ìThe fact of the matter is, on a new license, we have to consider all aspects of the new license.î
Commissioner Ann Thompson stated, ìThereís no reasoning why this board is purposely delaying the application. It doesnít serve us, it doesnít serve you.î
She added that both parties, Coulson and the commissioners, would like closure to the matter, but additional review is needed by the board.
Coulson stressed that he wished for the business to start moving forward, and asked that the board make their decision in a timely manner.
In an effort to expedite the process, questions commissioners had relevant to the investigation were to be submitted for discussion by February 5. Coulson asked the board if the decision would be made within a monthís time, and Commissioner Dave Corcoran answered in the affirmative, stating, ìI have a feeling (it will), yes.î
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