The Odin Village Board on a 4-2 vote Thursday night approved an expansion of liquor licenses to include two for video gaming and one for a restaurant where more than 51-percent of sales has to be from food.
The vote came after two dozen residents in attendance all spoke against granting the licenses. Among them was Tom Atchison of Centralia who owns property in Odin. He claimed to have caught the board in three lies made at the previous meeting that has left them with little integrity. Atchison says the village board couldn’t use the proceeds to finance large upcoming repairs to the water tower.
“Water Department has to pay for itself. We were also told its going to bring in $8000 a month because the mayor seen the paperwork. You could obtain the truth in 45 seconds like all of us can on the Illinois Gaming Board. But you chose not to do that, you chose you saw paperwork, no need to argue. But we got paperwork tonight and it’s the complete opposite. It’s about $800 a month, average.”
Atchison said the board also failed to answer questions after inviting residents to the last meeting to discuss the issue. Others were concerned about safety issues and with the decreased revenue projections there would not be enough money to hire another police officer. The board was told to look for other sources of revenue including a grocery store. The board responded they had been in contact with Dollar General, but told no. Another questioned why those in favor of the increased licenses were not there to present their side.
When taking the vote, none of the board members explained their reason for how they voted. Mayor Jim Smith, Doug Davis, Loren Pebble and Terry Nix voted in favor of the license while Thom Gordon and Susie McColpin voted no.
Those who want to apply for one of the licenses can pick up an application at Odin Village Hall. Applications will go to Mayor and Liquor Commission Jim Smith for approval. The entire village board would have to concur and the State Department of Revenue will need to grant a state license before final approval is granted.
Before now, Casey General Store had the only liquor license and it was for package sale only.
Odin Village Board listens to concerns over additional liquor licenses.
