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To the Editor:
As manager of Black Horse Tavern, I sincerely apologize to all of our customers and especially the football parents that continued the Thanksgiving breakfast tradition throughout the past 16 years. Unfortunately, we will be closed on Thanksgiving, which was not our choice.
I want to thank all of our patrons at Black Horse for their support during the past 16 years and for our traditional breakfast during home games on Thanksgiving days at the tavern. Unfortunately, we came up against a resistance during the [Select Board] meeting that seated only four voting [members] and not the traditional five Select Board members.
Not realizing that a tie, a two to two vote goes for the two “no” vote members and not for the business owner, I was troubled. What was more troubling was that the two “no” vote members couldn’t put out a legitimate reason for their no votes.
One said he “voted no two years ago and will vote the same way now” and the other talked about “kids drinking in the stands” at the game? Kids drinking or not drinking in the football stands has nothing to do with the tavern or its business.
Just because one voted no two years ago doesn’t mean he had to vote no this time. It goes to show that these individuals prejudged and knew that they’d vote no long before showing up for the meeting.
I believe a little more effort and fact finding could or would have changed their votes.
The football team traditionally walking by the tavern absolutely sends no negative message to the team. All they hear and see is proud parents and fans clapping and yelling out good luck!
How the board can tie that into the tavern and alcohol was and is ridiculous!
If I could have sat down with the woman who sent a very misguided and fact less letter to the [Select Board], I think things could or would have had a different outcome.
I’d also like to commend the two Select Board members who voted yes for the one-day 8 a.m. liquor license.
Thanks to both of you. Your support, reasoning and knowledge of the past years of voting in favor of the 8 a.m. license was nothing short of due diligence and leaving nothing out unlike your two no-vote Select Board member counterparts!
Again, I want to thank you for being thorough with the time you spent crossing your “t’s” and dotting your “I’s.”
Nevertheless, I hope everyone enjoys their Thanksgiving.
James Covino, manager of Black Horse Tavern, Winchester
