The Odin Village Board has tabled proposals to create new liquor licenses for video gaming and restaurants who wish to serve liquor.
The decision came after more than a dozen residents spoke out against adding more liquor licenses and questioned a figure given to the board that video gaming in Patoka is generating $8,000 a month for the village. The board will gather more information on potential revenue before bringing the issue back up for a vote.
One of those speaking out was Seth Williams who said the board was reacting to coin being waved in front of their face and weren’t looking at the real cost to the village.
“I have always been proud that Odin is a dry town. I never wanted alcohol in town and I will tell you it’s not because I hate alcohol. It’s because I know what alcohol and gambling brings. And gambling machines, I’m going to be blunt, those are only affecting those that have the least to those. You do not see rich people sitting at the gambling machines giving their money away?”
Two Odin ministers also expressed concern about the impact of liquor and gaming on the community. Others were concerned about feeling safe in the community while others said they had been misled at the time of the wet-dry referendum. They thought it was only to allow Casey’s to have a package liquor license.
While a board member said it wasn’t about the money, the upcoming expense of nearly a million dollars to paint the water tower was raised.
No date has been set for the issue to come back before the village board.
