Saugus club withdraws late-night bid

SAUGUS – Following a week of bad news, Oasis has withdrawn its bid to expand its late night hours.Wendy Reed, clerk for the Board of Selectmen, confirmed that Oasis withdrew its application. The club was scheduled to appear before the board Tuesday in a bid to operate a juice bar after 2 a.m.Selectman Peter Rossetti said it was just as well because he was not optimistic the club would win its petition.Police were called to Oasis Friday, March 28, around 1:45 a.m. when two people were shot in the parking lot outside the club. Friends at the scene transported Christopher Contreras, 20, of Lynn and Martin Gomez, 22 of Danvers, to Lynn Union and Salem hospitals, respectively. Little was known about their condition except that both men were expected to survive.Police Lt. Michael Annese said later in the week that the incident was gang-related.Rossetti said it was a shame because he thought the relatively new business had a strong chance to do well.”I have not eaten there but I’ve heard their food is terrific,” he said. “It’s too bad. Maybe they’d do better in a place like Cambridge where they would have foot traffic and not have to rely on drive-bys.”Donna O’Neil, co-chairman of Saugus Speaks Out, said she was glad to hear the club had withdrawn it’s application, but the group was not letting up.”We have to watch everything – everything,” she said.O’Neil said after the White Hen Pantry was awarded a beer and wine license during a hearing that, while public, went on largely unbeknownst to the public at large, Saugus Speaks Out has become much more vigilant.”After what happened with the White Hen we watch everything,” she said.