Supervisor says VFWs and similar organizations shouldn’t need entertainment license
Excerpt from Ramona Sentinel
San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson on Oct. 22 proposed an amendment to an ordinance that would exempt fraternal order and veteran organizations from having to obtain entertainment and public dance licenses in unincorporated areas of the county.
His proposal was unanimously backed by the other board members for the first vote. The final vote will take place at the board’s Dec. 10 meeting.
Organizations listed in the ordinance include tax-exempt fraternal societies, orders and associations, domestic fraternal societies, and organizations including past or present members of the armed forces. The organizations include groups such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Lions Clubs, which often support their programs with events that include entertainment or dancing.
Anderson, who oversees District 2, which includes Ramona, said the the military groups serve the families of deployed service members, host adopt-a-veteran programs, provide freedom grants to serve veterans and military members in need and provide student scholarships and student drug awareness program.
“It only makes sense that the veterans get full use of the veterans’ hall benefits, because they put their lives on the line for our liberty,” he said.