Background check revealed several offenses not listed on application
By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
After reviewing a list of prior convictions, Whitewater officials have decided to uphold a recommendation and deny an applicant’s request to serve alcohol at an establishment within the city.
In February, Joseph J. Ford, of Racine, sought a license to serve alcohol at Jimmy’s Classic Italian Beef, 535 E. Milwaukee St. Ford underwent the standard background check, and findings revealed he had been convicted of seven prior offenses from five law enforcement agencies.
The results of the background check prompted the city’s Alcohol Licensing Review Committee to review and recommend denying Ford’s application May 3. The Common Council gave a final decision May 17.
While the lengthy list of offenses was a concern, the committee noted Ford had not listed any of his offenses on his application, which was the ultimate reason for denial.
Ford did not appear at the committee or council meetings to try and appeal the recommendation.
In other recent business, the Common Council:
– Named Alan Luckett to the city’s Birge Fountain Committee. He will serve as a citizen representative.
– Backed a request by the Whitewater Police Department to close streets at and near Cravath Lakefront Park during the fourth annual K9 run/walk event June 4. The event helps fund training and other expenses for Boomer, the department’s K9 officer.
Registration for the event begins at 7:30 a.m. A Kiddie Sprint around the park leads off festivities at 8:30 a.m., followed by the race itself at 9 a.m.
– Authorized the purchase of a $32,774 Chevrolet truck from Countryside Auto Group. The purchase will replace a similar truck within the city’s public works department that has been in use since 1984.
– Approved a request to rezone a parcel at 707 W. Walworth Ave. from a community business district designation to a multi-family residence.
