Hearing on Rainsboro Tire liquor license request set for Aug. 31

The Highland County Press

The state Liquor Control Board has scheduled a public hearing on a local liquor license application for 10 a.m.-noon Friday, Aug. 31.

The meeting, for the Rainsboro Tire application, will be held in the basement conference room at the Highland County Administration Building.

On July 18, Highland County Commissioners Jeremy Shaffer and Tom Horst voted, 2-0, to request a hearing with the Ohio Department of Commerce/Division of Liquor Control regarding the Rainsboro business.

At the board of commissioners' July 18 meeting, neither Shaffer nor Horst expressed opposition to the liquor license request by Rainsboro Tire, LLC. However, the two commissioners agreed that the hearing would give sufficient opportunity for Rainsboro residents to voice their opinions – pro or con – on the request.

Commission President Shane Wilkin excused himself from the discussion, saying he wanted to avoid the appearance of a potential conflict of interest because he owns a liquor license in Hillsboro.

Jared Damron of Rainsboro Tire told commissioners: "We're here to ease your minds about what's going on. We're running the tire shop now. We want to expand and build a new building for the shop in back. If the license goes through, we will hire more people. We're looking at a drive-through convenience store – not a sit-down drinking area."

"On a new license, our stance is to let the community know, and hear what they want," Horst said. "I have had a call from a lady with a petition of 65 signatures (in opposition). We have not seen the petition."

Horst said he appreciated the business owner explaining his plans. Shaffer then made a motion to request a hearing by the Division of Liquor Control. The motion passed by a 2-0 vote.