To the editor,

The OBA is deeply disappointed in the Wareham Selectman’s decision to not grant the liquor license for the Blues Festival. Never in our wildest dreams did we think that we would be embarrassed like we were by the unprofessional and chaotic manner in which our application was dealt with by the Board of Selectmen. The OBA volunteers work long and hard to provide events that bring visitors and business to the town. Our volunteers left the meeting feeling unappreciated and disrespected.

Not only was this carried out in front of Wareham, it was in front of the owners of Cape Cod Beer who had driven from Hyannis to participate. They are a highly respected, professional, charity minded company that we found to partner with the OBA to help ensure a successful event. These are the kind of people and businesses we should welcome into our community. One can only wonder what their impression of our town is.

Our application for a one day liquor license for our event came on the heels of the same Board of Selectmen granting a one day liquor license for the Wareham Oyster Festival. This event is also on town property which seemed to be a sticking point for the selectmen.

We truly do not understand why the Oyster Festival, an event in its second year, received an approval where the OBA, which has been putting on events for over 20 years did not.

Is it the thought that Onset people are less responsible than other town residents? Or is there simply favoritism going on time after time. There had been major steps forward to unite the Village of Onset with the townspeople of Wareham; but I fear this decision will set all that hard work aside.

Not sticking to the application that was being presented and jumping over to discussion of CEC Funds, whether or not the Fireworks came under the umbrella of the OBA and questioning why the fireworks committee did not use parking as a fund raiser, makes everyone wonder what is going in the minds of those who wield the power to say yay or nay. None of that discussion had anything to do with a one day liquor license request.

This indeed was a sad representation of what should and should not happen to anyone coming before the Wareham Board of Selectmen.

Signed
Onset Bay Association