“Give me a hint,” prompted Lucy, who knew Corney had a tendency to overstate. She was the executive director of the town’s chamber of commerce and worked tirelessly to promote area businesses.
“Nope, you’ll just have to wait,” she said, turning to give an encouraging wave to a very tall, very thin, very distinguished looking man who had just entered the room.
“Who’s that?” asked Lucy, who knew everyone in town and couldn’t place him, even though he looked familiar.
“Rey Rodriguez,” said Corney.
“Not the TV chef?” inquired Lucy, who had seen his show.
“The very same,” said Corney with a smug smile.
Perhaps this meeting would provide some surprises, thought Lucy, watching the board members file in.
They were led by the chairman, Roger Wilcox, who was a retired army man and maintained his military bearing despite being well over seventy. Next in line was Joe Marzetti, another longtime member who owned the town’s IGA supermarket, followed by bearded and plump retiree Sam Bellamy and Winchester College professor Fred Rumford. The newest member of the board, Franny Small, brought up the rear.
Poor Franny’s bottom had barely met her chair when Roger called the meeting to order, opening with the usual period for public comment. The public, being largely absent, had nothing to say, although there was a bit of a stir as some latecomers arrived. These were Police Chief Jim Kirwan, Fire Chief Buzz Bresnahan, both in uniform, along with Audrey Sprinkle from the board of health. The three seated themselves together in the front row, causing Rey Rodriguez to cast a questioning look in Corney’s direction. She responded with a smile and an encouraging thumbs up.
This was interesting, thought Lucy, aware that the two chiefs rarely made appearances at board meetings unless there was a compelling reason, usually something involving public safety. Glancing at the agenda, she saw only routine business, which the board dealt with promptly. They voted to allow the Boy Scouts to erect a bench on the town green, approved the repair of a DPW truck, and authorized overtime for a police officer to provide traffic control at the upcoming Turkey Trot race.
When Roger moved on to new business, Corney stood up. “I’m here tonight to introduce Mr. Rey Rodriguez, who I’m sure you all know from his TV show, Let’s Go Global, on the Food Channel. Rey is also the author of many best-selling cookbooks and is the culinary genius behind two highly regarded and successful restaurants in California, El Conquistador and Mission.”
Corney paused and Rey Rodriguez rose, giving the board a polite little bow. “I am very happy to be here in Tinker’s Cove,” he said. “I have recently purchased a property, the Olde Irish Pub, and am looking forward to an exciting new chapter in my life in this most charming and beautiful part of the country.”
“Well, on behalf of the board, I welcome you,” said Roger, looking a bit puzzled. “I assume you are planning to reopen the Olde Irish Pub? In that case, you will need to request a transfer of the current liquor license.”
“Mr. Rodriguez is aware of the licensing requirements,” said Corney. “I just wanted to get the ball rolling as he is hoping to be open for Thanksgiving.”
“That will be tight, but I think it’s doable,” said Roger. “We’ll need to consider the transfer at our next meeting. You should make sure to get it on the agenda so it can be posted. Mr. Rodriguez will have to supply some information, and we will need time to verify it, but if everything is in order I think we will be able to vote.”
“That’s great news,” said Corney.
“I do have a question,” said Franny. “Can you tell us what you have in mind for the pub?”
“Will it be a Mexican restaurant?” asked Joe Marzetti. “Tacos and enchiladas, that sort of thing?”
“And margaritas?” asked Sam Bellamy with a twinkle in his eye.
“Not classic Mexican,” said Rey. “I am going to completely reimagine and renovate the present building, which will be known as Cali Kitchen. It will feature a sophisticated fusion menu using fresh, local ingredients cooked in imaginative ways while drawing on traditional cuisines including Asian, Southwestern, and even New England Yankee.”
“That does sound impressive,” said Joe.
“And delicious,” said Sam.
“If I may,” said Police Chief Kirwan, rising to his feet. “I’d like to say a few words in support of Mr. Rodriguez.”
“Of course,” said the chairman. “You have the floor.”
“Well,” began Jim Kirwan, “Mr. Rodriguez has had discussions with me. He’s aware of the lack of employment opportunities for our young people and the fact that many turn to drugs and get themselves into trouble. He’s interested in setting up a program in cooperation with the department to offer employment to at-risk kids, setting them on the path to gainful employment in the restaurant industry. I have to say that this is something my department would welcome, as so often we see these youngsters getting themselves in deeper and deeper until they end up in the county jail.”
Buzz Bresnahan was nodding along. He was a big, thoughtful man who never rushed into anything, but he offered his measured approval to the plan.
“It’s not a secret that we have a big problem with opiate abuse here in town,” he said, rising slowly to his feet. “Every week my EMTs are called out to deal with overdoses, and sad to say, they’re not always successful in saving the victims. I’m in favor of absolutely anything that will help our youngsters.”
“I don’t want to rain on this parade,” said Audrey Sprinkle. She was an attractive woman in her forties who was most often seen around town chauffeuring her three daughters to after-school sports events. “But am I the only one who sees a problem here? Where do these opiates come from? Mexico, right? And here we’ve got a . . . well, pardon my bluntness, but we’ve just had a terrible tragedy
