By By ROBERT BLANKENSHIP – Managing Editor
An arcade business owner seeking to open a similar business in East Brewton was denied that opportunity by council members Monday.
Clifford Allen, owner of Spinners in Flomaton and Fun Station U.S.A. in Pensacola, requested an East Brewton business license at the Sept. 23 council meeting. The item was tabled at that time.
Allen addressed the council prior to the vote and told the members that his business did not include pool tables or pinball. He told the council at the prior meeting that his machines are licensed by the state that it did not include bingo.
The business license was denied without a vote as no member of the council made a motion to pass or deny the application. East Brewton Mayor Terry Clark said the measure died due to no member offering a motion.
This marked the second person to request a business license for what was described as an "arcade" in recent months. The prior request was also denied by the council.
In a separate matter, East Brewton Fire Chief Joey Shell reported to the council that Riverview Mayor Carl Smith and the town council there was not going to renew a contract with the city for fire protection.
East Brewton has provided first responder status to residents in Riverview in recent years in exchange for a fee. That fee was increased by East Brewton this year.
A deadline for a decision on the matter was originally set for the first council meeting in September.
With the decision by Riverview representatives, East Brewton will now provide second responder status to the neighboring community. Dixonville Volunteer Department will be first responders. Shell also indicated that Smith said the community could rely on Navy assistance in case of an emergency.
Shell said if needed, East Brewton firefighters would respond to Riverview.
Other items discussed by the council include:
Shell told the council that he was in the process of sending out bids for the items listed on the grant;
The next council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 28, 6 p.m. at East Brewton City Hall.