PORT TOWNSEND — The Marvin G. Shields American Legion post’s continued sponsorship of the annual Strange Brewfest has led to the resignation of its post commander.
Joe Carey, 71, who had led the post for eight years and had committed to another year as commander, resigned abruptly March 11 after he failed to persuade the board to discontinue the event, which has taken place at the post at
209 Monroe St. each January for five years.
Carey unsuccessfully argued that the money earned from the Strange Brewfest, which features some 35 brewers, was not worth either continued repair requirements or the potential liability.
The board voted 5-4 to continue the event, after which Carey resigned. The identity of the board members who voted no was not announced.
“I’ve been on the losing side of votes before, but never on such an important matter,” Carey said Friday.
“You can’t be a good leader if you can’t convince the board to make the right decision.”
The board appointed Gary Lane as interim post commander, and the post will be filled in time for the new term to begin July 1, according to Andy Okinczyc, Legion adjutant.
Lane said Friday that he’d be interested in serving a full term “if I get the support of the board.”
He said there is no date decided for the 2016 Strange Brewfest, but “there is no doubt” it will take place under the auspices of the Legion.
Carey argued that while the money raised by the Brewfest helped support the Legion’s programs, it was mitigated by the possibility of an accident or a lawsuit and the need to refinish the floor every year.
“We had just refinished the floor in the fall and had to do it again after the Brewfest,” he said.
“You can only refinish the floor so many times until there is nothing left.”
The post commander is appointed by the board, with terms beginning and ending July 1.
Carey had announced last year that he would retire, but he reversed that decision on Veterans Day, committing to July 2016.
The two-day Strange Brewfest has operated for 11 years, first at the Water Street Brewery and then at the Legion Hall.
Many of the 70-some varieties of beer served at the function are brewed for the occasion and are not available anywhere else.
Carey said he intends to remain a Legion member “but won’t be making any decisions.”
He said Friday he has already improved his pool game and taken the time to shovel gravel out of his driveway.
“I finally got a chance to do this after eight years,” he said of the gravel chore at his Port Townsend home.
He also is involved in the development of the Fred Lewis Scout Cabin at 3075 Discovery Road.
“The building is complete, but lots of outside work is needed,” Carey said.
“We want to turn it into less of a forest and more of a park.”
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
