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Captain’s Cabin seeks new gaming vendor; commission weighs Legion’s community role and pending inquiry
Summary
Captain's Cabin requested permission to replace its American Legion gaming vendor, citing faulty machines; commissioners and residents debated community benefit and a pending investigation into the Legion. A motion to hold the site to the Beulah Convention and Visitor Bureau died for lack of a second.
Captain's Cabin representatives told the Washburn City Commission they want to replace the American Legion as the site's gaming vendor because their machines frequently freeze and require staff to physically restart them, disrupting customers and staff.
"We currently have 10" gaming machines, the Captain's Cabin representative told the commission, and "3 or 4" of them malfunction regularly, the owner said, arguing the business needs a more reliable vendor to keep customers and protect staff safety.
Commissioners and public commenters pushed back, noting the American Legion's long record of local charitable contributions. "The Legion has done a lot," one commissioner said, and residents including Judy Beaudry, a member of the Washburn Park Board, urged the commission to consider the Legion's community role: "The Legion to this community is a gift," Beaudry said.
Some commissioners also cited a pending attorney-general investigation involving the Legion — described in public remarks but not detailed in the meeting record — and said the investigation made the choice harder. One commissioner recommended asking the Legion to remedy the machine problems before the commission would consider moving gaming to a different vendor.
Mayor: "I'll make a motion that, we'll hold the Captain's Cabin, gaming site to choose the Beulah convention and visitor here." The motion drew no second and died, and no vendor change was authorized during the meeting.
Outcome: No change in vendor status. Commissioners advised the business and the Legion to work toward operational fixes and left any formal action to a future meeting should the parties present a contract or resolved investigation.
