This is exactly what the people who opposed the ordinance(s) said would happen. There are several SRC zones in town, the occupants of which could apply for any remaining licenses. The other item we spoke of was the promised tax relief. As that stands, it seems that we will simply receive an offset to expenditures.

The only thing that supprises me about this decision is that it took the judge this long to make it. Wondering how much this windfall is going to cost us when its over.

suprises not supprises

Wow! We guess the "No Liquor License" crowd was right all along? Was Moorestown Residents misguided into thinking it would be just at the mall? Were they misguided thinking that they had to vote "Yes on Both" so it can only stay at the mall?
Did someone miss the Master Plan that stated liquor at the mall and east gate?
I know it's water under the bridge but hats off to the "no liquor license" team. They were right all along,, but didn't have the mega dollars to stand up to the presumed misleading campaign that they ran against.
So, if we understand correctly, question #2 as some thought before the vote, would be and is thrown out right?
Therefore, is it assumed question #1 stands as is? Interesting and I'm sure there may have been thousands that didn't want liquor throughout town but just the mall, and now liquor throughout town?
Wasn't there members of the Dais, committees and citizens that stated "yes in both" it will only stay at the mall? Were they mislead?
What's next? We we taken to the cleaners on that referendum vote?

I'm thrilled! More decent places to eat means more traffic to that area and eventually, I hope, better shopping. Restricting alcohol sales is just plain dumb.

Old Acme here we come!

not surprised on decision, the 'no liquor crowd" was right, the no liquor citizens appeared out matched with the $$ from a corporation who's message was very convincing. what about those who blogged and spoke at meetings so convinced or determined or mislead that liquor would only stay at the mall? where are they now? appears pretty upsetting?

Ok look people there is one licence left, East Gate is getting one of the last two left. There is no where up town that could justify a million dollar licence. No one in there right mind would do it. Not so sure old Acme on Chester would even be eligible because of it's location to the Friends School or the cemetery across the street if it is owned by a church. Even if it was legal to put one in the old Acme on Chester I don't see anyone putting out that kind of money to buy it, renovation money on top of the licence cost. I just hope the last one goes to the Amce shopping area on Youngs Ave. Guys it's a licence for dine in only not carry out so where is the harm. This is a win for East Gate and a win for Moorestown. Looks like we got another 2 million coming to us so looks like we can get Wesley Bishop South KIDS project done now to. LOL

Fine by me. I voted Yes on 1 and No on 2 anyway.

The new Moore's Tavern on Main St.

Thomas Moore approves this message.

Thanks for timely report.

I think Solicitor Coleman should refund all monies that he charged relative to the liquor ordinances. The solicitor and Town Council were told by many that question #2 was unconstitutional and they chose to ignore such for ulterior motives. Personally, I was all for having liquor licenses in Moorestown and did not think they should be restricted to just the mall. However, many people voted for this question with the thought that they were going to be limited to the Moorestown Mall. These individuals were deceived by a Solicitor that should have known better.

Town Council and the Zoning Board can restrict alcohol sales to specific zones through duly adopted zoning laws and not through public referendums. Council has had no problem calling for special meetings to discuss much less important matters. They should act now and call a special meeting to discuss legally restricting the licenses to existing specific zones that would include the Mall and also the Young Ave Acme. By limiting to exising zones they would no longer be considered spot zoning. They might want to hire special counsel that is familiar with state liqour laws or get a new Town Solicitor first.

What does this say about the town attorney's professionalism and legal training? Was it not he that granted his approval for this stupid advise?

I would like to suggest, it is fair and reasonable, that another vote take place which would confirm the wishes of the Moorestown residents.

At present, I think this Judge's decision is disingenuous because it negates the will of the reasonable people of Moorestown.

Guess what, - another lawsuit will come.

Where's the Women's Christian Temperance Union and Carrie Nation when you need them? I can see the lawsuits and counterlawsuits now. Here comes another financial boondoggle disaster from your town council, When is our town going to learn that it doesn't matter who is in control of the council? The town council can't seem to get anything right or done.

Long time your wrong too close to friends school. But didn't you hear that a restaurant like champps was coming to the other acme on young ave??

Champs at the old ACME would be a traffic nightmare in the making.

Champs at the Acme on Young Ave works for me too.

Time to raid the licenses before "they" try to take them
Away? Tommy moore's pub talk again at the old friendlys? Actually thought this license would raid our other friendlys from us?

It's time to get over this.. It was a nice novelty: but nothing is going to change. Not one single thing…(revenues will increase, sorry) . Kids will not get it any easier, The wrong element will not be sleeping in your bushes! Consistent trouble spots in other towns are established local bars that could be closed on any given night if the TWP or the ABC chose to enforce the law..
When was the last time an Ernesto's or Mill Road Tavern through down a million dollars for the right to sell $1.25 drafts?? It won't happen!!
Charge Top dollar to an appropriate vendor-Zone correctly, Educate your children about the responsibilities Associated with alcohol. (Eventually somebody would have tipped’em off about the stuff ) and remember just about every home in Moorestown is less than a mile from a current Watering hole/Package store.
Lets Move On .

I still can't believe that there are goof balls in this town that get all high and mighty about booze when our town is named after a freekin bar owner!!!!!...get over yourselves!

The town better save some of that "revenue" (and I use the term loosely) for the future lawsuits bound to come up that show restricting the licenses anywhere in the town as not supportable by any laws. Friendly's bar and tavern any one?

the kmart center just got a lifeline and who cares if friendlys closes. the food is disgusting. bring on applebees

Funny. What happen to having a liquor license money put away in a "lock box" ? Didn't some councilman suggest this? What's the plan now? Are we blowing all this potential cash on turf?

Long time resident,

Do you have any proof of your claim about Canal's? I haven't heard anything like that, and speaking to the township manager this morning, neither has he. Canal's would have had to act extremely fast, since the judge's ruling invalidating Question 2 just happened yesterday afternoon. And also, Moorestown Friends School still owns the Chester Avenue Acme, so they'd have to be willing to sell to a liquor store. If you have evidence of your claim, by all means, let us know. But don't make claims like that if all you're doing is stirring the pot.

"But don't make claims like that if all you're doing is stirring the pot"

Well that will eliminate half the people that complain about having alcohol in Moorestown.

Even the "No Liquor" crowd knows the township can easily and legally restrict license sales to sitdown restaurants only.

This is would be funny if it were not so sad.

Moorestown Slogan Contest! It's Easy and Fun! Just complete this slogan, "Welcome to Moorestown: ______________________"

Be creative. Be timely. Be imaginative. Like this: "Welcome to Moorestown: Come for the Liquor, Stay for the Syn"

Enter and you could win a trip to the County Courthouse in Mt. Holly, where you'll sit in an ACTUAL COURTROOM and squirm as the Township Solicitor struggles in vain to defend Town Council's latest boneheaded decision.

Oooh, oooh, I just thought of another one: "Welcome to Moorestown: Solicitors Welcome!"

See. It's easy. Post and read entries here: http://homebrewsjavajive.blogspot.com/2012/08/moorestown-slogan-contest.html

"Welcome to Moorestown: Where hypocrites no longer drink in the basement bar "
"Welcome to Moorestown: Where Quakers roll in their graves"

Hey homebrew you can get turf toe on that old turf field. And where do you think this "new" turf field is going? Who said how that is being paid for.? If someone can get turf toe, maybe you think a new turf will replace the existing? Thanks for bringing me back into the conversation.
Get all 5 new liquor establishments and their tenant to sponsor megabucks to the rec fund that our esteemed two manager was talking about. That would be on top of the $1M tag.

This is exactly what I knew - and said! - would happen. Spot zoning is not legal - unfair competition against other restaurants in town. I voted "yes" on #1 and "no" on #2 for that very reason. Proximity to schools and churches is the only criteria that can legally be used to restrict locations of liquor sales.

Bob G - you've correctly assessed the issue. Ace - you also have the "optics" of the 2-part referendum exactly right. Part 2 was a "feel-good" pacifier for those worried about the evils of alcohol coming to Main Street (which, IMO can never happen because of the proximity to the many churches and Friends School). There was no way that the Centerton Square shopping area could have been legally cut out of competition, and town attorneys who insisted that Question #2 could hold up legally were being disingenuous simply to get #1 passed.

Why are you bringing him into this? Are you suggesting a mistake was made somewhere? What's up with that? He doesn't have a vote on council.

Moorestown Slogan Contest update: "Welcome to Moorestown: Judge Ronald Bookbinder, presiding."

Check for contest updates here: http://homebrewsjavajive.blogspot.com/2012/08/moorestown-slogan-contest.html

Observer..Thanks for the below link:

http://www.aopc.org/OpPosting/disciplinaryboard/dboardopinions/98DB2003-Coleman.pdf

I would be interested in knowing if the Mayor and Council knew about this disciplinary action when the appointed Solicitor Coleman. If not shame on them. If so shame on them.

is it me or was the attorney for the Dems a few years ago the guy who wrote the wrong open space question and HPC ordinance and oversaw the reevaluation during the market crash? All of this petty small town politics makes my head hurt. Come on bobby g do you really think your ticket lead by Hines has a chance? I heard the polling on Hines shows him with 70 percent unfavorables. That makes the clown in the white house look good.

Cs, so your polling suggests Obama and Hines will lose in Moorestown?

Slogan Contest: "Welcome to Moorestown: You Get Stewed, We Get Sued!"
See more and post your slogan here: http://homebrewsjavajive.blogspot.com/2012/08/moorestown-slogan-contest.html

Common sense should have prevailed - it was clear that this was going to be the result of the lawsuit and the ballot questions. I'm just shocked that so many people are surprised by this ruling!