By Tricia Pursell
MCCLURE — Ever since McClure residents voted the borough dry from liquor in 1941, and from beer in 1942 — almost 10 years after Prohibition’s repeal — the community has not allowed retail sales of alcohol within town limits.
There has been one exception.
One unlawful exception.
“We’ve been operating illegally for 60 years,” said Dennis Knepp, financial secretary and former commander at the American Legion in McClure. He has served the organization for almost 46 years.
Through a referendum in the May 19 primary election, Legion members hope to obtain a liquor license and finally make their sales legal. This year marks the fifth time the veterans have tried to get the question on the ballot, but the first time they have been successful.
Their petition received nearly 100 signatures.
McClure is one of nine dry municipalities in Snyder County, meaning there are no bars or restaurants that serve alcohol. The others are Beavertown Borough, and Adams, Center, Perry, Spring, Union, West Beaver and West Perry townships.
The McClure American Legion has been cited several times by the state Liquor Control Enforcement office for selling alcohol without a license. The most recent occurred April 22, 2008, when the establishment was charged with a misdemeanor and a fine of $250.
Court documents show that Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement officers found that the Legion social hall was clearly operating a bar, with customers lined up at the bar and an employee serving drinks.
Before last year, it had been decades since the last citation was issued, Knepp said.
“It seems like every 20 years, somebody is dissatisfied with our operation,” he said. “We’ve been trying to keep a low profile. I think we’re a good club. We do a lot of community work.”
In the past, the Legion’s petitions were defeated, Knepp said, because it was a wet or dry issue for the whole borough.
“Now, with this proposition for a club liquor license, we would be the only one in the borough allowed to open a bar,” Knepp said. “It’s not a wet or dry issue.”
There are approximately 3,000 veterans living in Snyder County, according to Snyder County Veterans Affairs Director Roger Snook, who said there are two Veterans of Foreign Wars posts, four American Legion posts and one Disabled American Veterans chapter in the county.
Because of aging members, and lack of interest from young people, Knepp said the McClure American Legion has been slowly crumbling.
“If we don’t get the license, my personal opinion is we’re going to close,” he said.
The Legion operates solely on membership dues paid by social, veteran, Sons of the American Legion and auxiliary members — around 400 in all.
“After 60 years, don’t you think we’re allowed to hope a little bit? We’re really just trying to be legal,” Knepp said. “We feel like we’re not a hindrance to the community. We do help the community. Now we’re asking for the community’s support.”
McClure Mayor Joseph Hassinger said: “By making it legal, they will be allowed to serve alcohol, and the Legion has done quite a bit as far as things for the borough, supporting things monetarily.”
The Borough Council has voted unanimously in favor of the Legion applying for approval from the state Liquor Control Board for obtaining a license, Hassinger said.
But opinions of council members may be a different story, according to Tony McGlaughlin, council president.
“I haven’t really give it much thought yet,” he said, adding that he would not agree that all council members favor the Legion’s request.
“I’m sure there are some people against it,” Knepp said.
Community members in the past had campaigned against the Legion getting a liquor license, Knepp said.
“People were afraid there would be three or four barrooms coming to town,” Knepp said.
If a vote is ever introduced for a blanket wet or dry decision, even American Legion club members have indicated they would not support a wet town, McGlaughlin said.
But with a more specific question on the ballot this year, referring to a liquor license only for the American Legion, Knepp is hoping for a favorable outcome.
“I’ve been more optimistic this time than I have been in a long time,” Knepp said. “People have asked me what they can do to help. We are hopeful.”
n E-mail comments to tpursell@dailyitem.com
