Rucci apology may change game for Hotel California

AUSTINTOWN

Sebastian Rucci has begun to open dialogue with township and Mahoning County officials as Hotel California awaits a liquor license decision.

He apologized to township trustees Monday night “for not coming to see you before.”

The first time that Rucci spoke with township officials was in late July or early August, according to zoning inspector Darren Crivelli’s testimony during the two-day license hearing last week before a state official. A decision is pending.

“I wasn’t sure how the project was going to unfold ... I believed I would just do something and show them,” Rucci explained regarding the lack of dialogue. If he started talking about the hotel project before doing it, he reasoned people would not believe him.

“I recognize that sometimes it’s a lot better to go to meetings ... It’s not like I’m comfortable going to these things,” Rucci said.

During last week’s two-day liquor license hearing with Rucci and county and township officlals, all witnesses were put in the hallways during testimony. Both Rucci and Austintown Trustee Jim Davis said Monday night that they were able to talk then, and that Davis gave Rucci advice. He said one of those recommendations was what he did Monday night.

Read more about their interaction and Rucci's standing with trustees in Wednesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.