Can’t believe it. Been working on Frank LaMere project since September. By turns, characterized by inability to capture right data at right time. Like not coming across all the clips when it comes to articles in the World-Herald regarding Whiteclay, with four infamous liquor stores a few hundred feet from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
Like in 2017, almost ten articles regarding.
Still, couple things I didn’t understand. Like how the beer stores’ lawyer, Andrew Snyder, messed up when it came to being prepped for oral arguments before the Nebraska Supreme Court. His feeling? That if you already have you liquor license, renewal doesn’t change if you’re still at the same location, doing the same thing. In short, liquor stores simply complete the short form. This argument he’d pitched since Sept. 2003. Wouldn’t it work 15 years later? A little clarification.
But now, fast forward to 2017. Frank LaMere, meanwhile, who had tried, since 1999, to close the four beer stores, despite constant rejection, state and local, wouldn’t quit. So, 18 years later, he’s still trying. And now, with Dave Domina on board, a new governor, Ricketts—Gov. Mike Johanns would always say the outlets were a business, “they have a right to exist”—thought a little different … long with a couple state senators. Whiteclay, pop. 8, selling 3.5 million cans of beer yearly, how could that ever be? Such a disgrace…a well-deserved nickname: “Skid Row on the Plains.”
Dave to the rescue. Supporting four Whiteclay and Pine Ridge residents, he pointed out that they weren’t notified by Attorney Snyder. The Supremes ruled that, since they weren’t notified, decision by the liquor control commission to refuse renewal before the May 1 deadline would stand.
Whiteclay no longer sold beer.
Victory for Frank LaMere, the State of Nebraska, Pine Ridge Reservation…at last!
Go word for Frank? “Resist.”