Youngstown council doesn't vote to object to South Side bar's liquor permit renewal

YOUNGSTOWN — City council decided not to vote today on a proposal to object to the renewal of a liquor permit for a South Side bar.

Council postponed a vote until perhaps its next meeting Dec. 17.

Council members want the owners of Crickets Bar & Grill at 1733 E. Midlothian Blvd. to meet with neighbors, who Councilman John R. Swierz, D-7th, said complained to him about noise coming from the business.

Crickets owners and patrons say the bar follows the law on noise. When asked at today’s meeting, Police Chief Robin Lees said the business has never been cited for noise.

Council can object to the renewal of liquor permits, but that decision rests solely with the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Liquor Control.

Also today, council heard from David Cook, president of the city’s firefighters union, in opposition to a plan from Mayor John A. McNally to take a firetruck off the road, effective Jan. 17, and not replace eight firefighters leaving shortly through retirement. It’s a key component to the mayor’s plan to save the city $1 million annually.

Council voted to raise sewer rates by 17 percent over the next four years, starting Jan. 1, and authorized the board of control to spend $146 million over the next 20 years to improve its wastewater system.

For the complete story, read Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com