12/14/11 Millersburg says no to liquor permit request
December 14, 2011
391
SUMMARY: Voters turned down Sunday sales, mixed beverages at WalMart store in 2007
Millersburg Village withdrew its support for a liquor permit request after it was discovered that voters turned down a similar request by the same business in 2007.
One day after expressing approval in writing for Sunday sales and mixed beverages permits for WalMart, 1640 South Washingtn Street, Mayor Jeff Huebner sent out a letter Tuesday Dec. 13 to the Ohio Division of Liquor Control to object.
Huebner said he learned that WalMart had placed the same permits on the 2007 general election ballot and that voters turned both down. The decision to decline support for the permits was based on voter sentiment, Huebner said.
Huebner noted that voters in the Millersburg west precinct also previously turned down a Sunday sales permit for a South Washington Street convenience store.
Weve got two businesses in the west end that tried and the voters said no, Huebner said. I have no idea what the opposition is in the west (to the permits but) thats why we are rescinding our approval. The voters dont want this.
Millersburg WalMart manager Fran Jackson said she has not spoken with Huebner about the issue. The Millersburg WalMart does currently hold a carry-out beer sales permit.
In what was largely a formality, council approved the request by a vote at their Dec. 12 regular meeting. The state department of liquor control only requires the signature of a municipal official.
Jackson attended Mondays meeting and noted that the store has received commendations from the Holmes County Sheriffs office and division of liquor control for its strict ID policy on liquor sales.
The liquor permits were to be transferred in from Cleveland. The division of liquor control issues a limited number of permits per region per year, and permits can be moved from one business or area to another by a process known as an economic development transfer.
According to Holmes County Board of Elections records, the Sunday sales permit was voted down with 136 no votes to 62 yes votes on the 2007 ballot. The wine and mixed beverages permit was voted down with 134 no votes to to 64 yes votes.
