The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Legion tackles uncertain future
Members consider options amid financial crisis
MUNNSVILLE, N.Y. » The future of the Munnsville American Legion is on the line, according to Post Commander Don Logan.
During a meeting Monday night to discuss the Legion’s plans for the future, he explained that he had “no other choice” but to close the bar in December from lack of staffing.
But the Legion is facing a bigger issue than staffing, Logan said.
“We have accumulated some costs that we’re trying to figure out how to recuperate,” he said. The Legion has the option of trying to re-open and move on, or hold meetings elsewhere and see what else can be done about the East Hill Road property.
“That’s the question,” Logan said.
Scott Jones, Legion member and lieutenant of the Oneida Fire Department, laid out the financial basics of the Munnsville Legion. “Our bills, monthly, are $8,000, roughly. There could be some places we could trim here and there, but out of that $8,000 a month, from August to November, there’s only one month in there that we obtained that $8,000 and made money. Every other month was short.”
The Legion obtains most of its money through the bar or events, such as wing nights, fish frys and other fundraisers. So far, that money has not been enough to keep the Legion solvent, officials said.
“One of the questions why we’re here is if we’re putting all these hours in just to break even, we don’t even have the money to help anybody in the community. We’re just breaking even to keep the doors open and that’s where we’re at right now,” Jones said.
Logan said he wants to keep the Legion running, and members seemed optimistic about saving the current building.
“The biggest thing now is do we have it in us, do we have the resources to try and turn this around,” Logan said. “I care for the Legion. This Legion stood behind me when I had to have medical treatment done at the
VA. I’ve seen this Legion do things for other people, the community and the school. That kind of drive and blood has to come back in the veins.”
“We owe it the community and all of our forefathers who have kept this Legion going, when it was down the hill and up here. We owe it to keep this place going. If you let me know what you need done, trust me, I’ll put my whole heart into getting something done,” member Bob Taylor said. “I’ll stay here until midnight. Call me, I’ll get it done.”
Among ideas tossed around at the meeting were amenu overhaul, taking advantage of more holidays like Valentine’s Day, and possibly a prime rib dinner.
Logan said the Legion needs to be more proactive with the community to get them through the door, and to use the Legion property to its fullest.
The Munnsville Legion plans to re-open the bar by Jan. 17.
Should the Legion close and move to a new location, Logansaid the current property would most likely be sold. He would hope the owner could take care of the memorial on the property before Legion members moved it to the new building.
“If we can’t handle holding on to this property, we’ll still go on with the Legion,” Logan said.
The Munnsville American Legion is always looking for new members and volunteers. Those interested are encouraged to call at 315-495-6593.