The Marion County Board on a ten to three vote has rejected a Class A Liquor License for the Lucky Barn Gaming Parlor on US 50 at Bannister Road east of Salem.
About two dozen area residents filled the board room with several speaking in opposition to the proposed location. They expressed concern over increased traffic and the potential for intoxicated drivers.
Jeremy Koch, spoke for his wife Cheryl who was seeking the license.
“Each time we came to meet with the board we have been made to feel like we were on trial for something illegal and forced to listen to shared stories about ‘what-if’ information that has not been supported by any facts. Even law enforcement officials have explained to them they have not witnessed any situations that the opposing individuals discussed during the last two board meetings. We are the ones that have thousands of dollars at risk and the community has nothing to lose by making assumptions.”
Koch also questioned if board member Brock Waggoner was eligible to vote since his mother had led the opposition effort. State’s Attorney Tim Hudspeth said the actions of Waggoner’s mother did not cause a conflict for her son.
Waggoner then moved to accept the original 7 to 7 vote taken at an earlier meeting, which would have rejected the liquor license request. He did not receive a second. Waggoner complained the board did not have the correct information to vote again Tuesday night.
However, a motion was then made to vote again on the issue and it passed 10 to 3. In casting her vote, Board Chair Debbie Smith explained.
“It had to be for some reason, you cannot just deny a liquor application because a community says no, we don’t want it. But you have to find a basis, and I think the safety issue is a big issue.”
Board Vice Chair Dr. Creighton Engel says the proposed video parlor is in his district and said while he received lots of calls against it, none were in favor.
“Too often I see people in a district or an area, and they meet with a board, where it is a county or city government, and it is overwhelming they don’t want it. Then it passes. I think the people who live there should be a loud voice and I think right now they do and I appreciate you coming out.”
Several area residents stayed after the vote to thank the board for rejecting the liquor license.
The motion to reject the license was made by Chris Krupp and seconded by Bill Henson. Waggoner, Dr. Engel, Jack Riley, Deb Reed, Tyson McHenry, Steve Bradley, Judith Meeks Hakim, Krupp, Smith, and David Iossi all voted against issuing the license. Tracy Murray, Henson, and Steve Whritenour cast the only votes in favor of the liquor license being granted. Because he holds a county liquor license, Adam Smith was instructed by the State’s Attorney to abstain.
