Legion Liquor License in Limbo

The two Saratoga Town Council meetings in November centered around the renewal of liquor licenses for various businesses in Saratoga.

Two of the businesses, the Rustic Bar and Lazy River Cantina, have seen fights and unruly behavior at least twice a month.

According to acting police chief John Moore, fights and other disturbances at the businesses have not caused problems for the department.

Every liquor license was renewed at the November 5 meeting except for one.

The only establishment to have their liquor license renewal tabled was the American Legion Post 54 (Legion).

Per Title 12 — Alcoholic Beverages — State Statute of Wyoming, the American Legion is categorized as a “Club” category. The American Legion Post 54 is a post composed of veterans and its duly organized auxiliary chartered by the Congress of the United States for patriotic and fraternal uses.

Additionally, Wyoming State Statute 12-4-301, allows “consumption of alcoholic or malt beverages by its members and accompanied guests” under their limited retail liquor license.

“I think we need to table the [Legion] liquor license until we can get a list of members because of complaints of people who are not members from other members,” said Councilman Mike Cooley. “Seems to be internal conflicts occuring over there.”

Mayor Chuck Davis agreed that the Town attorney needed to be contacted because the Legion was not following their rules and providing information. “We need to find out what legal authority the Town maintains, “ said Davis.

Corrine Miller and Sam Frazier from the Legion attended the November 19 council meeting to discuss the hold-up with the liquor license renewal.

“We tabled your [Legion] liquor license last time because of complaints we had,” said Davis. “The complaints came from the state and the police department went to investigate.”

Moore would like to verify all the membership and guest lists to fulfill his investigation into the local and state complaints.

The mayor and council requested names of members, sons of the legion members, and auxiliary members to fulfill state requests.

“We [Legion] can provide member lists, guest sign in sheets and membership fee logs,” said Miller. “Our logs never exceed the member to guest ratio which allows for each member to have 15 guests at a time.”

According to Frazier, there has been an uptick in membership as the Legion is over 135% in membership because of Legion Post members attending from all over the state.

“We did not know you needed a full list of our members, Sons of the Legion, and auxiliary members,” said Frazier. “We will provide you [Town] with the full lists.”

According to Davis, the Town is not trying to shut down or shut off the Legion’s liquor license, rather the Council just needs the Town attorney’s recommended lists and logs required by the state and police department.

“When [Acting Chief] Moore tells the Town he is satisfied in the requirements being met then Liquor license will most likely be renewed,” said Davis.

Following multiple requests from comments from the Legion chain of command, no questions have been answered.

Renewals for all liquor licenses will take place Jan 1, 2025.

The next town council meeting will occur at 6 pm December 3 at the Saratoga Town Hall.