The Marion County Board voted three times Thursday night on granting a Class A liquor license to the Lucky Barn gaming parlor at 4205 Bannister Road near the US 50 intersection, but could never break a 7-7 tie.
State’s Attorney Tim Hudspeth told the board the 7-7 vote meant the issue failed. But he said the county board had the option of bringing it back for another vote in the future.
The board then agreed to have another vote, but no date was set. Board Chair Debbie Smith said it would likely be in December with plenty of notice.
The Marion County Board room in the basement of the Law Enforcement Center was filled mostly with those against the proposal.
While those in the neighborhood were concerned about safety, increased traffic, and potentially intoxicated drivers, Law Enforcement Committee Chair Steve Whritenour says he hasn’t seen those issues at gaming parlors in his 18 years at the Centralia Police Department.
“This is just a different environment. Four or five people play, they get a beer or two, they get in their car and leave. That has been my experience that I’ve seen in gaming parlors. If this was a bar or restaurant, some massive operation, I would be right on board with that.”
The Lieutenant at the Marion County Sheriff’s Department Anthony Decker, speaking for Sheriff Andy Garden, concurred there were no major issues they could remember with the gaming parlors and they deferred to the county board to make the decision on the liquor license.
Incoming Sheriff Kevin Cripps had a similar viewpoint.
“I know these establishments are all over the place. I leave this to the County Board. This is what you got elected for. And in my opinion, you need to listen to the community and residents in the area and make your decision the best you can. The Sheriff’s Office is going to back your decision any way we can.”
Several of the Marion County Board members who didn’t live in the area voted no in support of those who lived in the neighborhood who didn’t want the gaming parlor.
Questions were also raised on what would happen if the facility was later turned into a bar/restaurant facility. Hudspeth says the board could hold a hearing to revoke the license or not renew it when it comes up annually if it is no longer what they intended.
There was also some concern about the proposed hours of operation of eight am to midnight seven days a week. Jeremy Koch, the husband of applicant Cheryl Koch, indicated that was something they could look at if it was a problem. A member of a nearby church said they were against people drinking nearby while they were having church on Sunday morning.
Jeremy indicated while they currently live in Mt. Vernon many of their relatives live nearby and whatever they did would impact their family as well as their neighbors.
The Koch’s presented a petition signed by 32 within a few miles and 76 total in the Salem area in favor of the establishment. Opponents presented a petition signed by 178 against.
Smith also noted there was a limit to the number of liquor licenses in the county. Eight have currently been issued of the ten available. Smith doesn’t feel there is any desire to increase the number further.
Those voting in favor of the license were Bill Henson, Judith Shafer, Steve Whritenour, Chris Krupp, Adam Smith, Debbie Smith, and David Iossi. No votes came from Angie Hiestand, James Purcell, Sharon Woodward, Dr. Creighton Engel, Deb Reed, Steve Bradley, and Judith Meeks-Hakim.
Board member Wes Gozia was absent.
