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Poland council nixes ban on alcohol sales at annual event

POLAND — After a lengthy discussion Tuesday evening that included remarks from the public, village council narrowly shot down a resolution forbidding alcohol at events that coincide with the annual Celebrate Poland.

The first person to address the issue was Poland Junior Women’s League President Nancy Muscat. She said many Poland community groups obtain permits and host events that serve alcohol to raise funds to be used in the community. She was concerned the passage of the resolution would interfere with a lot of events. She said even Celebrate Poland organizers may want to consider it someday with donations being tougher to get each year.

“I would urge the mayor and council not to adopt this resolution,” Muscat said. “I don’t want to see it locked in.”

Councilman Michael Zembower said, “It is in our laws that F-permits can be pulled and now we want to pass a law to circumvent those laws.”

He supported what Muscat said about local community groups raising funds all the time with events that are under an F permit, which allows certain non-profit groups to apply for a temporary permit allowing for the sales of alcohol during an event. The permit could be for four or five days.

Zembower said he felt the resolution was not the right thing to do.

“We have designed a resolution to create division,” he said, “and we are about to vote on it.”

The issue was on the agenda for the third and final reading. It came about after Celebrate Poland supporters didn’t want an alcohol venue during the celebration and the resolution specifically named Celebrate Poland.

Councilman Sam Moffie said, “This is all about Celebrate Poland and is not a blanket resolution. I am going to vote yes.”

Police Chief Don Lambert was asked if alcohol makes a difference at events like Celebrate Poland. He said it could.

“If you do throw inebriated people into a crowd, it can change the outcome of a situation, Lambert said.

Village Solicitor Jay Macejko said the resolution is “an expression that F permits not be approved.” He said the State of Ohio allows for them and the village does have a law permitting them.

Councilman Chris Graph said he felt it was all about safety at a family fun event.

After the discussion, a vote was called for, with Moffie, Graph and Jim Walkama voting for the resolution. Zembower, Michael Thompson and Abbie Bosak voted against it, referring the tie-breaker to Mayor Tim Sicafuse, who voted no.

“I voted no after hearing the legality of it,” Sicafuse said. “In the future, I hope we can all sit down and work things out.”

LIBRARY DISCUSSION

In other business, the issue of the library came up. Sicafuse said he met with library officials on July 2 to discuss the issues residents have with the Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. While those issues are still on the drawing board, the library has since changed the focus.

“We discussed the issues, but now there are structural issues to deal with,” Sicafuse said.

He mentioned a special news release that went out July 3. It read, “While addressing exterior concerns at the Poland Library raised by the community in Poland Village, the leadership of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County determined that a full external and structural evaluation of the building was warranted.”

The press release from Michael Stepp said there was movement at the south end of the building on the first floor.

“The library is going to drill a hole in the floor and find out what is going on,” Sicafuse said.

He said it could take place as early as next week. While the list of resident’s concerns are still on the table, the library said they have to deal with this situation first.

“Their concerns are legitimate and are real,” Macejko said.

Poland Township resident Joseph Zdrilich said he believes the structural situation is just a smoke screen and he called for council to hold the library accountable.

In other business, council:

* Approved an expenditure of $3,494.40 for police dispatching services.

* Approved $3,000 for Iworq zoning software for code enforcement.

* Approved the 3.2 mill renewal levy for current expenses on the November ballot.

* Approved four chainsaws, a hedge trimmer, two air conditioners and a mowing deck as no longer useable, allowing the items to be scrapped.

Have an interesting story? Contact J.T. Whitehouse by email at jtwhitehouse@vindy.com. Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, @TribToday.

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