Ironton City Council will not stand in Fraternal Order of the Eagles members’ way in their pursuit of a new liquor license.

Friday, December 10, 1999

Ironton City Council will not stand in Fraternal Order of the Eagles members’ way in their pursuit of a new liquor license.

Council members voted 5 to 1 to not pursue a hearing with the state Liquor Control Board before a decision on a new license is made.

"During the five years that I was mayor, there was not a better friend or neighbor than the Eagles," said Jim Tordiff, Ironton City Council chairperson. "Just speaking as one councilman, I want to do everything I can to help the Eagles."

Council member Joe Black cast the only dissenting vote.

"Ever since I’ve been on council, I’ve always supported hearings on new liquor licenses to give the public the opportunity to express their feelings," Black said. "It just gives residents a chance to say ‘yeah’ or ‘nay’."

The Eagles original liquor license was revoked in December of 1996. After completion of various appellate proceedings, the revocation became effective in April 1999, said Patty Haskins, spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Liquor Control.

"A new application was submitted to the division of liquor control for their former location of 1305 S. Third St. Nov. 10," Ms. Haskins said. "The Fraternal Order of the Eagles filed for an application to permit the sale of liquor in a private club to members only."

The original license was revoked because of some gambling violations, Mrs. Haskins said. And that could play a part in the liquor control board’s decision on whether or not to issue the license.

The club could not be awarded a license before April 2000, because of a rule that a new license cannot be issued within a year of a revokation, Mrs. Haskins said.

Club members began seeking a new license in 1996 after the original one was revoked, said George Stamper, club secretary

Money raised through the alcohol sales in the past allowed Eagles to contribute more to the community,

"We want our license back just so we can do our original amount of donations to charities locally and nationally that we did in the past," Stamper said.

Ironton City Council is only one organization in the city that has the right to request a hearing with the state Liquor Control Board before a license is issued, however, Ms. Haskins said.

"We also must measure the area to determine if any schools, churches, libraries, township parks are within 500 feet," she said. "They too would have to be notified and given the opportunity to request a hearing."