By Howard Packowitz
BLOOMINGTON – West side residents who don’t want another business selling alcohol in their neighborhood persuaded the Bloomington City Council Monday night to delay action on the matter.
Council members directed the liquor commission to hold a special meeting soon to hear the concerns of neighbors who claim they didn’t receive proper notice that new owner Ajeet Singh of Puma Enterprise Inc. wants to sell packaged liquor at Park Pantry at 906 S. Morris Ave., near Miller Park.
Precinct Committeeman Nathan “Chiko” Russo gathered about a hundred signatures on a petition. He said neighbors don’t want a repeat of the mayhem before West Side Food and Beverage closed at that location earlier this year.
“No more trash in the yard. No more bottles. No more plastic bags. Nobody talking crazy to our wives because they’re walking through the store drunk to get more alcohol to get drunker. No more of that,” said Russo.
The council would like to see additional conditions on top of the owner’s agreement to close the store at 11 p.m., install outdoor cameras and lighting, and limit liquor sales to less than half of the store’s revenue.
The neighborhood has been much quieter since the old store shut down, according to area homeowner Surena Fish.
“We’ve had no people running through our backyards. We’ve had no trash thrown all over,” she said.
Council member Scott Black said he can’t ignore the petition, but believes the new owner should not be penalized by the previous owner’s neglect.
“I really do buy into the argument that the sins of the past should not dictate the future,” Black said.
“That said, it gives me pause when I see a hundred signatures of people who are concerned,” he added.
Council member Joni Painter favored delaying the vote because the new business is in Jenn Carrillo’s Ward 6, and Carrillo needs to weigh in on the dispute.
Carrillo did not attend Monday night’s meeting due to an unforeseen emergency, according to Black.
“Generally, I will go along with whatever the alderman wants for their ward because it’s her responsibility,” said Painter.
Council member Jeff Crabill also did not attend the council meeting.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
