ANC Votes to Protest License Transfer

The ANC voted 5-1-1 to protest N-A Minit's application to transfer Excello's liquor license to N-A Minit. The two commissioners who represent the Corner Forum area — Commissioners Jessica Ward and Michael Musante — voted in favor of the motion to protest the transfer. Commissioners Cody Rice and Joseph Fengler joined them. Commissioner Gladys Mack voted against the motion; Commissioner Wanda Harris abstained.

Commissioner Fengler sent a letter of protest to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board on Friday.

The ANC voted 2-2-3 against a motion to hire an attorney (at $210 per hour, for eight hours of work) to represent the ANC in negotiations in regards to its protest. Commissioner Ward and Musante voted in favor of hiring an attorney. Commissioner Alberti had objected to rushing through a major expenditure without enough notice or deliberation.

Commissioner Musante, who represents the area south of the middle of E Street NE, argued that the ANC should file a protest: "I think we should proceed with the decision to protest the [application]. I do that because the majority of the individuals in my single member district have approached me and said we should continue with it, and I will do as I stated — whatever the majority of my single member district wants to do, I will do."

Commissioner Ward, who represents the area north of the middle of E Street NE, introduced the motion to protest the transfer as well as the motion to hire an attorney. §