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The R Family Restaurant in Maybell was granted a hotel liquor license by the Moffat County commissioners even though the restaurant is within 500 feet of the Maybell Public School.

The restaurant, which is approximately 380 feet from the school, has applied before and been denied a general liquor license that would have allowed patrons to take liquor out of the premises. The license that the restaurant was granted allows the establishment to serve alcohol within the restaurant during a meal.

"I don't want neon signs in the window. I want to keep it a family restaurant," said owner Susan Stubblefield, "I don't want a bar atmosphere."

The commissioners said even though they had decided to deny the previous request for a liquor license, this time was different because the alcohol was not leaving the premises and there was no bar.

"The last time people (residents of Maybell) didn't have a problem with the alcohol in the restaurant, they had a problem with the alcohol going out of the premises," said Moffat

County Commissioner Marianna Raftopoulos.

Stubblefield amassed a petition of names of community members and tourists who supported the liquor license.

"I see the signatures of many responsible citizens," said Moffat County Commissioner Les Hampton. "Many of these people are community leaders in Maybell and Moffat County."

County attorney Kathleen Taylor told the commissioners they could approve the license because there is a provision in the law, which gives the commissioners the ability to reduce the distance requirements for granting the license for a special situation.

"The law is there for a reason, and as an educator I would support the way the law was written," said Moffat County School District Superintendent Pete Bergmann, "but every case needs to be looked at individually and that is what the commissioners probably did."

"In a community the size of Maybell, there is not a lot of options," Bergmann said, "They will handle it appropriately, they have handled other situations appropriately. Maybell is a unique setting."

The commissioners supported the resolution because they said they did not feel that the community was opposed.

"I know my community well," Moffat County Commissioner Darryl Steele said. "If there were people who opposed this, they would make their voices known.

Liz King is an intern with the Craig Daily Press. She can be reached at 824-7031 and eking@craigdailypress.com.