Libby City Council denies Moose Lodge business license for casino
Large public opposition for location of proposed casino near elementary school
by KLCB 1230 AM Libby News Radio
March 4, 2008
The Libby City Council has denied the proposed Moose Lodge #2671 a business license on a 4 to 2 vote.
The Moose Lodge had proposed a lodge and casino in the Libby Shopping Center, but the Libby City Council yielded to the huge out cry from area residents not to have a casino in the City, and not on the shopping center property.
The City's action does not prevent another casino in the City. Nor does it prevent another casino on Highway Two. That was the goal of the protest, to prevent yet another casino from opening along the highway. The Moose Lodge can find another location, in the city limits, or in the county adjacent to the City along Highway Two. As an example, the Eagles Club, on the west edge of town, is not in the City.
The City cited alcohol and gambling addition problems in Libby, and the proximity of the shopping center location to Asa Wood elementary school as reason to deny the business license. The action is based on a situation in Red Lodge where the City of Red Lodge denied a building permit and business license to Town Pump. However, that was prior to 2006, when the State statutes did not require a comprehensive growth plan to be in place for a municipality to take zoning actions.
City attorney, Charles Evans, told the Council they could deny the license, if they felt doing so was in the best interest of the community.
Resolutions dealing with banning alcohol sales and gambling in the shopping center were tabled.
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Story by KLCB 1230 AM Libby News Radio, www.todaysbestcountryonline.com
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