Man's restaurant may interfer with city council hopes
Updated: January 8, 2013
MATTOON -- A man's day job may keep him from a seat on city council. Preston Owen owns Pagliacci's. It is a restaurant that serves beer and wine. That means he has a liquor license.
City rules say council members can't be involved with the making, sale or distribution of alcohol in Mattoon. That is because it could cause a conflict of interest when voting on liquor related issues.
Owen says he wasn't aware of the law when he put in his nomination last month. What he was aware of was state law. The Illinois Liquor Act say a council member can have a license if they don't vote on alcohol related issues.
Owen says he talked to the city attorney today about the law. He thinks it is illegal because it is more restrictive than state law. Our calls to the city attorney were not returned.
Owen is one of ten people running for city council. Four seats are open. He is determined to run and says he'll deal with the problem if he's elected.
City rules say council members can't be involved with the making, sale or distribution of alcohol in Mattoon. That is because it could cause a conflict of interest when voting on liquor related issues.
Owen says he wasn't aware of the law when he put in his nomination last month. What he was aware of was state law. The Illinois Liquor Act say a council member can have a license if they don't vote on alcohol related issues.
Owen says he talked to the city attorney today about the law. He thinks it is illegal because it is more restrictive than state law. Our calls to the city attorney were not returned.
Owen is one of ten people running for city council. Four seats are open. He is determined to run and says he'll deal with the problem if he's elected.
Comments
It's interesting to note that Mr. Owen used to be both the City Treasurer and City Attorney along with owning the restaurant. He resigned last summer amid a controversy about a land sale to the fiance of the city administrator that he felt was unethical as well as illegal.
Cheri S.
January 9, 2013 at 6:38 pm
