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LOCAL NEWS
Deja Vu: Council puts Darkhorse liquor license on hold 2 weeks SUNNYSIDE (Monday 2-1-99)---The Darkhorse Tavern is in the news again this year as owner Rosendo Magana's busy waterhole is up for the city's annual liquor license blessing.   The Darkhorse received support at this evening's city council meeting from Sunnyside Police Chief Wallace Anderson and City Mgr. Don Hahnfeldt. Councilmen Roy Anciso and Errol Brown both voted to okay DH's '99 license.   Councilmen Chad Werkhoven, Don Vlieger, Mike Farmer, and Mike Aguirre indicated, however, they want to check out a few facts before they tell the state's liquor monopoly the city approves DH operations. Those facts should be forthcoming in two weeks, still time for the DH to get city approval before March 1.   Official approval has to come 30 days before a March 31 deadline.   All councilmen and city staff applauded the hardworking Magana for curbing many problems voiced by Darkhorse neighbors last January. Band noise, screeching tires, and tossed garbage were chief among complaints. Everyone acknowledged the "new" DH has put a stop to those problems.   But the sticking point for the four "new" councilmen rests with the Liquor Control Board's own statistics. A state toxicology report revealed the DH as No. 20 as a liquor source for persons driving under the influence.   "The fact the Darkhorse was in the top 20 in the whole state for DUIs concerns me," Werkhoven said. He said any Sunnysider who drives a car or walks down the street should be concerned as well.   City Mgr. Don Hahnfeldt said police in 1997 responded to 61 calls from the Darkhorse, with 58 in 1998. He pointed out, however, the calls were for less significant items, and that DH security staff are urged by the city to call whenever there's a problem. Police received eight complaints for loud music in '97, and just two in '98.   Police Chief Wallace Anderson said he and Liquor Control Board rep Dan Garza acknowledge Magana as being very responsive to to PD requests. He also noted the Darkhorse is a very popular place for the local Hispanic community.   "I've spoken with the regional enforcement chief for the Yakima Liquor Board--his thoughts were the same--though the Dark Horse is No. 20 on lists or serving DUIs, we have to consider the popularity of his establishment," Anderson said. "My view is that I personally commend him," Anderson said of Magana and his operation.   Councilman Roy Anciso said it's the state, not the city, that approves the liquor license. "They're the ones, not us. I feel there's no problem, and we should grant (license approval) Anciso said.   City Atty. Mike Kunkler reminded that council that, if the city disapproves of a liquor license, the burden of proof rests with the city that an establishment shouldn't be granted a license.   City Mgr. Hahnfeldt said toward the end of the meeting he was "very impressed" with the way Magana has worked with his neighbors and the city. "We'll only be as successful as a community as (our businesses) are," he said. He noted that one business--which has closed its doors--"whistled right through" the licensing process. I invite your consideration, here" Hahnfeldt told the Council.   Werkhoven and Vlieger said the city hasn't disapproved the Darkhorse, and that a "couple of weeks" to get hard facts won't hurt anyone.   In other business, the council: Approved a "Latecomers Agreement" with Daniel T. Martinez, who completed a water line benefiting or potentially benefiting nine persons, a business, and the city. For this, the city will reimburse Martinez $61,686. Properties benefiting are owned by Joyce Adkinson, Gerrit Schilperoort, Ambrosio Briones, Jesse Padilla, Zenon Fernandez, Denny Morrow Ford, Martinez himself, David Driscoll, Israel Estrada, Terry Kok, and the City of Sunnyside. Agreed to provide $9,000 for Sunnyside Downtown Development Services. The contract runs from March 3 to March 3, 2000. The Uptown Sunnyside Assn. and Sunnyside Inc. will each provide $13,500 for the program as well, for a total $36,000. Agreed to send to the Planning Commission a petition to annex 6.2 acres belonging to Valley Truck Repair, Hwy. 241, and zone the property light industrial. Councilman Chad Werkhoven left the room during discussion. Unanimously refused to accept a petition to annex Erkki Kotilainen's property near Interstate 82 and Saul Road. Kotilainen, of Grandview, wanted to place 59 manufactured homes in the area. More than a dozen persons spoke out against the measure. Agreed to hire the Zillah law firm of Bjur and Woodward to provide public defender services for the city, at $1,850 a month. The firm replaces Atty. Don Engle.