Maybe not next time, but soon when you head to Wal Mart to grab groceries and other goods you may need, you’ll also be able to pick up beer and wine thanks to a new Class C Liquor License granted at Tuesday night’s Carmi City Council meeting. Alderman Tracy Nelson had some concerns about how granting Wal Mart a license would affect the two package stores in town. Store manager Justin Grogan says,
“It’s hard to say. We don’t know what the sales impact would be. I don’t think that’s necessarily always the same customer…the one that goes to the package store versus the customer who picks up a bottle of wine while shopping for dinner.”
Alderman Steve Winkleman and Alderwoman Lacey Bradshaw voted no; the remainder of the council voted to approve the license however.
Also Tuesday night, council officially passed Ordinance 1614 which formally annexes property into the City of Carmi to connect Burrells Woods. That action was necessary for the city to be able to apply for grants that will help further develop Burrells Woods.
Council also heard from resident Bill Newman who says he’s not receiving Light and Water bills.
“As bad as I hate to say it, I’d just like to get a bill…(laughter)”
The James Avenue resident says it’s been 8 months since he last received a bill. Council says the problem is that bills (about 3,000 of them per month) go to the Carmi Post Office and then have to make the trek to St. Louis to get sorted before they get rerouted back to Carmi and go out to customers. Mayor Jeff Pollard the hitch in the gitty up is somewhere in that transit. Anyone with issues receiving statements is encouraged to reach out to the city office.
