Sunday, December 23, 2007

No Liquor License Equals No Sense

One of our readers sent the following message. Below, we posted the Council Minutes on this issue.
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"The last council meeting was a prime example of ineptness mixed with "good ole boy" networking.

We were able to witness the council withhold recommendation of renewal of a liquor license to Torino Ristorante based on a not-so-well cloaked ax that Chief Sharp has to grind with the owner. There have been no liquor violations, no bar fights. The only crime I witnessed personally was the price they charged for a glass of merlot. Three thousand customers a month speaks of high regard for this cozy bistro.

The Council, after gaining no insight regarding misconduct during discussion, voted unanimously to deny recommendation. Apparently, some reluctant members consciences were appeased when they learned the state liquor board disregarded their non-recommendation on the initial license (no harm, no foul?). However, should the state deny this license, the Townspeople will lose one of the FEW classy restaurants we have.

Make room for Wendy's - would you like some wine with that cheeseburger?"
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Council Minutes below

12/05/07 Minutes, Town Council Regular Session 5

2. PUBLIC HEARING- CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION
REGARDING AN APPLICATION FOR A SERIES 12 (RESTAURANT)
LIQUOR LICENSE FOR TORINO RISTORANTE LOCATED AT 10355 N.
LA CAÑADA DRIVE, SUITE 141
In response to questions from the Town Council, applicant Ollie Shouse
explained that he has operated two restaurants at this corner for seven years and
there have been no incidents related to alcohol at either restaurant. He also
explained that due to some personal issues, he filled out the application within
three days and he mistakenly left out some of the required information.
In response to a request from Mayor Loomis, Chief Civil Deputy Attorney Joe
Andrews reviewed the process for submittal of a liquor license application.
Mayor Loomis further reviewed the process at the State level should the
application be recommended for disapproval.
Mayor Loomis opened the public hearing. There being no speakers, the public
hearing was closed.
12/05/07 Minutes, Town Council Regular Session 5
MOTION: A motion was made by Council Member Parish and seconded by Vice
Mayor Dankwerth to recommend disapproval of the issuance of the Series 12
Liquor License to the Arizona State Liquor Board for Mr. Ollie Shouse at Torino
Ristorante located at 10355 N. La Canada Drive, Suite #141, due to an
incomplete application and at the recommendation of the Chief of Police Daniel
Sharp.
MOTION carried, 7-0.

Read The Explorer article here.
http://www.explorernews.com/article/show/21051

4 comments:

Victorian Cowgirl said...

Unless Ollie has committed some heinous crime, it seems absurd to me to take his liquor license. There have been no incidents at Torino's.

Taking the license will force him to close and all that does is punish EVERYONE in Oro Valley! We barely have any nice restaurants in this town as it is. Torino's draws a good crowd.

On the other hand, I read another blog on this site recently that said Chili's was nearly empty on a Saturday night...prime time. What does that tell you? That OV residents want upscale dining!

Oh well, I guess when Torino's closes we can all dine at the "upscale" Oro Valley Marketplace instead!

Welcome to Oro Valley...where small upscale business owners are given a hard time but we roll out the red carpet for the likes of Wal-Mart!

Zev Cywan said...

It's very simple - if the applicant was denied because he inadvertantly left out some information on the application form, then, let said applicant reapply and be reconsidered. After all, the council allows (forces) EDAs, height limitations, sign variances, land use 'changes', etc., to be reintroduced and voted upon over and over and over again until things are 'gotten right'.
What a pitiful double standard!

OV Objective Thinker said...

Hi Zee Man.

I think your problem is Merlot. It is a crime to charge ANY money for Merlot. Might I suggest a good Pinot Noir and you will be more than happy with the price!!

Hope you have a healthy 2008, my friend!!

PS - Blackstone Pinot Noir is on sale at Fry's for $6.99 ($7.00 off!!!)

Suija said...

Hmm...seems that the chief knew better than you all did after all.

Shouse did, indeed, commit "some heinous crime".

Poor, POOR (big scale drug dealer) Ollie was treated bad by the TOV.

http://explorernews.com/articles/2009/09/23/news/doc4ab95780e8db9152282488.txt