In a recent government meeting, discussions centered around the contentious liquor license transfer involving a local business, Danny's, and a prospective tenant, Charlie's Tavern. The meeting revealed a complex interplay of proposals, deadlines, and legal criteria that have left stakeholders divided.

The property owner, Mark Caravitti, explained that he had received three proposals for the lease of the property after a year of inactivity. He emphasized that Danny's had not submitted a proposal by the May deadline, which he described as a self-imposed timeline. Caravitti stated that Danny's was not on the list of potential tenants because they failed to act in a timely manner.

Danny's owner, Dan Reed, expressed frustration, claiming he felt blindsided by the developments. He indicated that he had been negotiating a new lease but was unaware of the urgency due to a lack of communication with the property owner and the broker involved. Reed argued that he should have been notified about the liquor license application process, which he believed undermined his business.

The meeting also delved into the legal criteria for approving liquor licenses, with council members discussing the implications of denying the transfer based on community sentiment versus established legal standards. It was noted that while the applicant did not reside in Ferndale, this alone should not disqualify them, as many existing license holders do not meet that criterion.

Council members grappled with the potential precedent set by denying the license based on subjective community opinions. They emphasized the importance of adhering to the established criteria, which include factors like business history and occupancy consistency, rather than personal feelings about the situation.

As the meeting concluded, the council faced the challenge of balancing legal obligations with community interests, highlighting the complexities of local governance and business relationships. The outcome of the liquor license transfer remains uncertain, pending further deliberation and potential re-evaluation of the proposals involved.