Editor, Times Union: As a resident of Winona Lake I have been pleased to see the efforts toward restoration of our town by Dane Miller and Brent Wilcoxson. Much has been said both negatively and positively in letters printed in your paper about their efforts. I want to join those who are positive in their comments about the efforts of these men. Their expenditure of time and money and the risk they are taking is not small and I commend them for trying to restore the former status of this fine town.
But, having said that, I am concerned about one factor. Misters Miller and Wilcoxson are considering requesting a license to sell alcoholic beverages in the restored hotel. This town was made famous by its Christian conferences and the spiritual emphasis brought by great Christian men like Billy Sunday, Virgil P. Brock and others. I firmly believe the sale of alcoholic beverages would taint the memories of these men of faith and diminish the beauty of the restoration project. I am therefore urging these gentlemen to reconsider their decision to apply for a liquor license.
I have prepared a petition addressed to misters Miller and Wilcoxson. I have enclosed a copy of it. Friends have joined me in circulating these petitions amongst residents of Winona Lake. We presently have obtained more than 100 signatures, with others being filled by area churches and friends which are not yet completed. I am forwarding the petitions to misters Miller and Wilcoxson in the hopes that they will continue their project with the exclusion of the sale of alcoholic beverages.
