After years of debate if Salem Township was wet or dry, the debate ended quietly at Tuesday night’s Marion County Board meeting with two liquor licenses being issued in unincorporated portions of the county.
The licenses were approved unanimously to Roy and Beth Landers doing business as the Iron Saddle Ranch and to A Fair Barn.
County Board Chair Debbie Smith says the two licenses were the only two open in the county and if any other businesses which to have a liquor license the county board will have to act on an increase in number of licenses.
The county board had refused to grant liquor licenses in rural Salem Township for years because it was believed the township had voted itself dry. However, when no record could ever be found of a vote, the Illinois Liquor Commission said the township should be considered wet.
