PC stands firm on decision to revoke store liquor license

The St. Mary Parish Council heard from a Bayou Vista business owner regarding a decision made at a previous meeting that he claims is negatively affecting his livelihood.
Subraj Singh, owner of Bayou Vista Food Mart, claimed during the public comment section of the council meeting Wednesday that a council decision to revoke his liquor license has adversely affected his business and asked the council to reconsider their decision.
The council decided to revoke the license at a previous meeting because Singh’s store is too close to a church which is a violation of parish ordinance. Singh said he had already incurred significant expenses on rent and other business expenditures in anticipation of being able to sell alcohol and liquor.
In response, Councilman Glen Hidalgo said that, while he sympathized with Singh’s predicament, the ordinance was clear that selling alcohol at the store was a violation of the ordinance.
“It (liquor license) was given in error,” Hidalgo said. “Our ordinance says you can’t sell beer or alcohol in that vicinity. We are following our ordinance.”
St. Mary Parish President David Hanagriff also weighed in on the discussion. Hanagriff, while also expressing sympathy for Singh’s situation, said the parish had to follow the ordinance.
“I understand your predicament,” Hanagriff said. “It’s unfortunate. But we have the ordinance in place.”
In other business, the council introduced an ordinance authorizing the parish president to enter into an agreement to lease hangar space from the parish to Stanley Don Abey.
The council also adopted two rezoning ordinances and one specific use permit. The council also passed a number of resolutions. These included one in regards to the medical care of parish prisoners.
Another resolution was passed relating to the Deer Island Pass Channel Dredging Project. There were also two resolutions passed authorizing the parish president to execute ‘Pre-Disaster Contacts’ to Professional Debris Removal Services and Professional Debris Monitoring Services.
In old business, the council passed a motion to rescind approval of a resolution awarding a bid for an oil, gas and mineral lease to Kitty Hawk Energy, LLC due to an ‘error in the publishing specifications.’
Under new business, the council was notified by a representative of Cox Communications about ‘upcoming changes to video service offerings on Cox’s cable system. On July 18, Cox will launch new video packages.’
There was also a request granted to allocate $5,000 from Wards 5 and 8 sales tax fund to Recreation District No. 3 for the St. Mary Central Dixie Youth Baseball Tournament.