Apache Co. board votes against liquor license transfers

By Alastair Lee Bitsoi
Navajo Times

WINDOW ROCK, July 24, 2014

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The Apache County Board of Supervisors voted against the transfer of Gary MacDonald’s liquor license to George Ryan Tuesday during a special meeting held at the Nahata Dziil Chapter House.

Last month, Ryan had purchased MacDonald’s liquor licenses for $10, according to county court documents, which was reported in last week’s Navajo Times, “Special Meeting set for Apache Co. liquor license.” These liquor licenses operate the Ole Red Barn and Lee’s Liquor.

The vote by the supervisors lets the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control know about its stance on the license transfer, which had become an issue when MacDonald was arrested for allegedly operating a meth lab, among other charges he has since been jailed for.

According to a Navajo Nation Council press release, Delegate Leonard Curley stated that the community of Nahata Dziil opposes the operation of the two liquor establishments.

“The Navajo Nation passed a resolution opposing the sale of transfers of the liquor licenses, so I ask the members of the Board of Supervisors for consideration of opposing the liquor license sales because it is not in the best of the Navajo people,” Curley said.

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