By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson News



The Kimberly Town Council has halted, at least temporarily, an attempt by veterans group AMVETS to open a private club in town.

This follows an incident in which the Kimberly Police Department issued a citation to AMVETS for operating a business without a business license.

Robert Yeager and his attorney Keith Veigas attended Tuesday’s council meeting, where the council discussed selling Yeager a business license to open an AMVETS club.

At the meeting, Veigas said he had found out that AMVETS did not require a business license because AMVETS is a nonprofit organization with a 501(c)3 tax classification.

He said that the AMVETS club in Fultondale does not have a business license.

“They require a permit, not a license,” said Veigas Wednesday via telephone. “They cannot issue a license. It’s prohibited. … They do not have to pay taxes. They do not have to pay for municipal licenses. Those people, if they’re on top of their game, should know that.”

However, Ed Hawkins, Fultondale inspections officer, said that the AMVETS in Fultondale does have a business license.

“It’s a private club,” said Hawkins. “You have to have a business license to operate.”

Hawkins said that the organization also must have national charter in order to operate under the heading of American veterans.

Veigas and Yeager said Tuesday that the charter is on its way. They said they should have it by the April 8 council meeting.

AMVETS will appear on the April agenda for the council to again consider the matter.

According to Kimberly officials, Yeager has rented a building at U.S. Hwy. 31 and Peterson Drive for the AMVETS club.

It was at that location that Kimberly police officers issued a citation for operating a business without a license.

A man at Tuesday’s council meeting, who did not identify himself, said that he and others were only having lunch at the building when the officer issued the citation.

“It was clear the place was not open,” said Veigas on Wednesday. “We will plead not guilty to the charge and we will have our day in court.”

Veigas said that it was inappropriate for the mayor and council to talk about the citation at Tuesday’s open meeting because it is a pending court case.

He also said that town officials initially misinformed Yeager by telling him there was a zoning problem at the AMVETS location.

“It appears to have been an attempt for them to not let the veterans come in and open their club,” said Veigas. “We plan to open the club and we plan to be a part of the community.”

Council members said that they support veterans and have two veterans on the council.

The AMVETS case was moved on Kimberly’s court docket from Thursday to March 27.