After working for months to find a new home after their rental agreement was not renewed at their previous Ocean Beach location, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) officials thought they found a solution. VFW representatives signed a new lease to rent a spot for Post 1392 at 4705 Point Loma Ave. and hosted a meet-and-greet event with neighbors in January to introduce themselves. What members of the veterans organization did not count on was dozens of residents gathering in opposition to the relocation. The neighborhood outcry and protest seemingly caught VFW officials off guard. “We have a signed lease but did not fathom this outcry from the community,” said Post Commander Bill Havrilla. “… We want the Ocean Beach community to buy into this social club. We realize we have work to do [to find a suitable location].” Residents, however, pointed to reported troubles at the VFW’s previous location along Newport Avenue. SDPD officer Ron Wise, who attended the gathering, acknowledged the former VFW location had been the site of some problems associated with transients and other activities not necessarily connected to VFW members. But Wise added that the problems were cleaned up. Those assurances, however, did not seem to convince some of the opponents, among whom was former District 2 City Councilman and former Deputy Mayor Michael Zucchet. Emotions were obviously running high. “This VFW bar would be in a very residential area, close to schools, churches and families. There is no parking,” said Linda Tyler, an Ocean Beach resident since 1970. “It is seedy and it draws a seedy clientele … There will be drinking and smoking and we don’t want that here.” The unexpected outcry from the residents may put the future of the VFW location into question. Asked if the VFW’s previous liquor license is non-transferable and if the VFW would continue with the lease, Havrilla said, “I am not sure. We will have to talk to our attorney and see if we can get out of the lease.” — Jim Grant and Kevin McKay contributed to this story.