FARGO, N.D. (KFGO) – On a 4-1 vote, Fargo city commissioners approved the appointment of the four new members for the City Liquor Control Board.
The change in the make-up of the board came following controversy over liquor licensing, issues about liquor license suspensions or license revocations, and the fact that the board members have all been city employees. Police Chief Dave Zibolski who served on the board also said earlier that he wasn’t comfortable making decisions. The four appointees are members of the public. The new board takes over immediately.
Assistant City Administrator Mike Redlinger says staff will meet with the new members this week to train them and provide them with a legal briefing so they are comfortable at their first meeting scheduled later this month.
City Commissioner Dave Piepkorn will remain on the board as chairman. Commissioner Tony Gehrig cast the only vote against the appointments. Earlier, he claimed the changes being made were an effort to “bump” him off the Liquor Control board.
The board appointees are Robert Nelson, a former president of a liquor distribution company, NDSU faculty member Lydia Tackett, banker John Tibbe, and retired NDSU research assistant at NDSU, Kay Schwarzwalter.
