DECATUR — City council members discussed objections to Tim Witcher’s private club application at the Jan. 9 meeting.
Witcher submitted an application to the Arkansas Beverage Control Administration for a Private Club Class A license for the Backdoor Club & Grill at 1190 Highway 59 South in Decatur last month.
Alderwoman Sandy Duncan told the council that a number of community members have come to her with questions and objections to the proposed club.
Mayor Charles Linamreported that Witcher plans to build the private club and restaurant in the back of the T-N-T Express truck stop.
The city council is not involved in the decision to grant or deny the permit. However, the ABC board sent a letter to Mayor Charles Linam, Police Chief Terry Luker, Benton County Sheriff Keith Ferguson and Prosecuting Attorney Van Stone, asking if they had any comments or objections to the club. The responses are a matter of public record, Linam said.
Linam said he would not mind having a separate restaurant serving alcohol but was concerned aboutserving alcohol inside a truck stop.
"I don't want a bar and I'm afraid that's what it would turn out to be," he told the council.
Luker said he objected to the private club because it was inside a truck stop, it is in a dry county and because there are no windows to make it possible for law enforcement officers to see what’s going on inside.
Linam said their voicing of concerns would not necessarily mean the permit would be denied. Luker agreed and said it is likely Witcher will receive the permit.
Duncan said she had received lots of negative feedback on the application and wondered if there were any regulations regarding a private club’s proximity to a school or day care, pointing out that the establishment would be close to Decatur Care for Kids, where she is employed.
Luker said the ABC board will not grant the permit until Witcher is ready to open and the facility has been inspected. He said that if any community members object, they can write to the ABC board with their concerns.
On Friday, Witcher said he did not wish to comment on his application or the council’s discussion at this time.
News, Pages 3 on 01/18/2012