NEWS
Thompson to create alternative tavern league
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by Michelle Orris
Tuesday, November 19, 2002
Former gubernatorial candidate Ed Thompson broke from the Tavern League Thursday to form his own coalition, saying the league failed to support his campaign for governor.
Thompson, who secured 10 percent of the vote in the general election, said he does not know if the Tavern League’s support would have made a difference to voters, but he is upset nonetheless.
“I can no longer be a member of a league that doesn’t support my issues,” said Thompson, who has been a member of the league since 1968.
Thompson strongly aligns with the Tavern League’s stance to maintain the current legal blood-alcohol level at .10 rather than comply with federal recommendations to lower it to .08. Both Thompson and the Tavern League also support gambling machines in bars.
Tavern League member and Bullfeathers owner Dick Lyshek said the league decided not to endorse Thompson because he was not viewed as a likely winner.
“Given the circumstances, the Tavern League made the right decision,” Lyshek said. “He stood by us 100 percent, but at the state level it would have been hitching a cart to a candidate that wasn’t going anywhere.”
Lyshek said the league chose McCallum because he was more sympathetic to their issues than Doyle, who had taken an absolute stance against video gambling and vowed to immediately put a limit of .08 into effect.
Ross Johnson, Tavern League member and owner of State Street Brats, said the league wants the blood alcohol limit to remain at .10 because .08 is too low and would penalize light drinkers rather than serious offenders.
“We’re not trying to protect drunk drivers, we’re trying to protect Mom and Pop coming back from dinner,” Johnson said.
He said the legalization of video gambling in restaurants is a cause for concern in rural areas like Tomah, the location of Thompson’s supper club.
“A lot of those folks have seen a big dent in their businesses because of the increase in casinos,” Johnson said.
He added that these businesses are losing customers who opt for casinos that offer games as well as food and drinks.
Thompson said he had rank-and-file support in the league and blamed the “higher-ups” for his rejection. He plans to create a coalition of tavern owners who support him and his issues, although he downplays its importance.
“It’s gotten overblown; it’s just another avenue, a different structure,” Thompson said. “I have many things in the fire right now — this is low on the priority list for me. If it happens, it happens.”
Lyshek said many individual county leagues did endorse Thompson, but there does not appear to be many owners leaving the league for Thompson.
Thompson said he is not trying to sabotage the league.
“I have a lot of support, but I don’t want to break the Tavern League. I have friends in the Tavern League,” he said.
Barb Mercer, one of Thompson’s friends and Tavern League president, said she told Thompson she would remain in the league.
“I supported him and I love him dearly, but the election is over and we need to move on,” Mercer said.
