By Perry Schaible
Enquirer contributor

WEST CHESTER TWP. - The township wants to dry up Tequila's.

In a rare move, the West Chester Township trustees objected to the renewal application for a liquor permit for Tequila's Nightclub, a nightspot at 10152 Princeton-Glendale Road in this bustling Butler County community.

Authorities say the nightclub has been a nuisance since it opened in October 2002.

Police responded to 240 calls at the nightclub and made 100 arrests in the last year and a half.

Of those arrests, 25 percent were persons under 16, and 33 percent were under 20, West Chester Police Chief John Bruce said.

On April 17 alone, police arrested 19 people in the parking lot of the nightclub, mostly related to assault and the possession of open containers.

"We feel that to continue the operation of Tequila's is going to continue to monopolize the resources of the police department," Bruce told trustees at Tuesday night's meeting.

The applicant, Rodriguez and Leal Inc., could not be reached for comment.

Several businesses, including a day care center, in the Tri-County Center, the strip center where Tequila's is located, indicated problems with litter, Bruce said.

Pastor John Stevenson, of the Heirs Family Worship Center near Tequila's, filed an objection to the liquor license when the nightclub opened.

Church officials have called police because of the debris and broken glass found in their parking lot.

"I'm hopeful that the liquor permit is not renewed. I just don't think it's good for the people. I don't think it's healthy for the community," Stevenson said.

The facility holds a D-5 permit that allows on-premise sales Monday through Saturday and the ability to sell beer, wine, and low-proof liquor for off-premise consumption in closed containers.

That permit was renewed in June 2003.

"We're not going to jump on them in the first five months; we gave them an opportunity to get their feet on the ground and try to correct the problem," Bruce said.

Matt Mullins, spokesman for the Ohio Division of Liquor Control, said once a resolution stating the township's objection is submitted to the department, a hearing will be scheduled.

An attorney representing Liquor Control will hear West Chester's argument and prepare a report for division superintendent Raeann Estep, who will decide.

Mullins said the process will take two to three months.

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control receives some 24,000 applications a year.

Liquor permits are renewed annually.

The trustees also objected to a new liquor permit for Casi Mexico, 10154 Princeton-Glendale Road, a new carryout, because of its proximity to Tequila's.

"We don't need more liquor permits when we're already having a problem," Bruce said.