MCCLURE — Ever since McClure residents voted the borough dry from liquor in 1941, and from beer in 1942 — almost 10 years after Prohibition’s repeal — the community has not allowed retail sales of alcohol within town limits.

There has been one exception.

One unlawful exception.

“We’ve been operating illegally for 60 years,” said Dennis Knepp, financial secretary and former commander at the American Legion in McClure. He has served the organization for almost 46 years.

Through a referendum in the May 19 primary election, Legion members hope to obtain a liquor license and finally make their sales legal. This year marks the fifth time the veterans have tried to get the question on the ballot, but the first time they have been successful.

Their petition received nearly 100 signatures.

McClure is one of nine dry municipalities in Snyder County, meaning there are no bars or restaurants that serve alcohol. The others are Beavertown Borough, and Adams, Center, Perry, Spring, Union, West Beaver and West Perry townships.

The McClure American Legion has been cited several times by the state Liquor Control Enforcement office for selling alcohol without a license. The most recent occurred April 22, 2008, when the establishment was charged with a misdemeanor and a fine of $250.

Court documents show that Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement officers found that the Legion social hall was clearly operating a bar, with customers lined up at the bar and an employee serving drinks.

Before last year, it had been decades since the last citation was issued, Knepp said.

“It seems like every 20 years, somebody is dissatisfied with our operation,” he said. “We’ve been trying to keep a low profile. I think we’re a good club. We do a lot of community work.”

In the past, the Legion’s petitions were defeated, Knepp said, because it was a wet or dry issue for the whole borough.

“Now, with this proposition for a club liquor license, we would be the only one in the borough allowed to open a bar,” Knepp said. “It’s not a wet or dry issue.”

There are approximately 3,000 veterans living in Snyder County, according to Snyder County Veterans Affairs Director Roger Snook, who said there are two Veterans of Foreign Wars posts, four American Legion posts and one Disabled American Veterans chapter in the county.

Because of aging members, and lack of interest from young people, Knepp said the McClure American Legion has been slowly crumbling.