Council approves liquor license renewals

WORLAND — The Worland City Council, following a public hearing Tuesday night in which they heard two objections, approved renewal of all liquor licenses currently held within city limits.

During the public hearing, City Attorney Kent Richins referred to a letter in which Chris King of Apex Legal services and Stogie Joe’s objected to the city renewing the retail liquor license for Rumors Sports Bar & Grill and Scheuerman Hospitality doing business as Comfort Inn.

Richins said the objection to the Scheuerman Hospitality was that the Firenze Restaurant is closed. Richins said the license was transferred with approval of the council to the Comfort Inn last year so that objection was moot.

Regarding Rumors, Richins said it is appropriate for the council to approve a one-year non-operational license, which could be used, relinquished or extended at the end of the year.

Council member Mandy Horath said the council has, in the past, approve a non-operational renewal for two years for a business.

Kody DeMunBrun said having the liquor license with the building may entice someone to re-open the bar and grill.

Council members Delayne Renner and Keith Gentzler asked why King was objecting to Rumors other than it was closed. Richins said he could not answer that and that in his letter King said he or his partner would be in attendance at the hearing. Neither were in attendance Tuesday night.

There were no other comments during the hearing.

The council then proceeded to approve retail liquor license renewals for Goose’s, Comfort Inn, Rendezvous Lounge, Green Hills Golf Club, Rumors Sports Bar & Grill; Reese & Ray’s IGA, Warehouse, Brass Plum, Big Horn Co-op, Blair’s Market, Maverik; limited retail licenses for the Elks Lodge, Eagles 3096 and American Legion Post 44; restaurant liquor licenses for Pizza Hut and Ranchito Mexican; and one bar and grill license for Stogie Joe’s.

Washakie Prevention Coalition members and W-Club members came to the council to inform them about Prevention Night Friday night during the Worland High School varsity basketball games. See related story on A9.

During reports, Public Works Superintendent Brian Burky said the crews were working on clearing ice from the gutters.

Horath said the public is not helping with the ice issue with many residents still shoveling snow out into the streets, which is prohibited by city ordinance.

Burky said they are working to educate the public on the ordinance passed last spring.