December 5, 2024 |
Photo – Bigfoot 99 file photo
Saratoga officials reinstated American Legion Post 54’s liquor license this week.
Last month, during the November 5th Saratoga town council meeting, the governing body held a public hearing for liquor license renewals. Every establishment in the town received a license renewal, except for American Legion Post 54, located at 403 East Bridge Avenue.
During the November 19th Saratoga town council meeting, Mayor Chuck Davis explained that the Wyoming Liquor Division received numerous complaints about non-members drinking at the establishment and winning large cash prizes.
Mayor Davis said the complaints came from the state, and that the town was required to investigate the accusations.
Representatives from the American Legion post explained that all members are permitted to invite 15 guests each. Additionally, every American Legion member in the country is welcome at the Saratoga location. For those reasons, the building can often appear crowded.
The American Legion representatives offered to submit a record of all members and their guests to the Saratoga Police Department for verification against their roster. The town council voted to delay approving the liquor license until the requested documents were received.
The matter was brought up again during this week’s Saratoga town council meeting held Tuesday. Mayor Davis explained that following an in-depth investigation, it was discovered that the majority of the accusations made against the American Legion were false. The mayor said the prize money was exaggerated and that a photo, allegedly showing non-members drinking, actually showed a member with his guests.
Acting Saratoga Police Chief Lieutenant John Moore said he was satisfied with the information provided by the veteran’s organization. With that, Mayor Davis called for a vote to reinstate the American Legion’s liquor license.
The town council unanimously voted to renew American Legion Post 54’s liquor license, effective immediately. Mayor Davis said the town is convinced that the veteran’s organization is following state and local regulations.
