Old ABC violations...just a hand slap?
The city’s promise to crack the whip on liquor establishments has so far resembled just a few lashes with a wet noodle.
In March, the City Council imposed a 30-day suspension on La Bamba Inn and a lesser penalty on Watchung Liquors.
La Bamba is still open, pending an appeal, and Watchung Liquors got off the hook by installing video cameras to deter loiterers.
In further hearings of the council acting as the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board last month, the council decided after lengthy testimony that a liquor store near City Hall had violations warranting a 30-day suspension and a West Front Street nightclub should be shut down for 12 days, including two weekends.
The Watchung Avenue store between City Hall and police headquarters , George W. Bantle Liquors, sold liquor to minors on four occasions, according to Frank Capece, special counsel for ABC matters.
The West Front Street club, Pueblo Viejo, generated 27 police calls within several months, but no violations, Capece said. But the Aug. 1 resolution said the club had a violation, “Nuisance adversely affecting the public safety.”
The council ordered suspensions for the liquor store and nightclub effective Monday (Aug. 8, 2005) which means Pueblo Viejo only gets suspended for just one weekend.
However, both can evade the suspensions by filing appeals.
With more than 30 liquor establishments on the books, the council has asked for more timely reports on violations so the governing body can exercise its powers as ABC board on a more timely basis.
COMMENT: The question that comes to mind, when violations dating back three years now seem urgent, is why the council does not address the problems in the context of annual license renewal hearings.
--Bernice Paglia
In March, the City Council imposed a 30-day suspension on La Bamba Inn and a lesser penalty on Watchung Liquors.
La Bamba is still open, pending an appeal, and Watchung Liquors got off the hook by installing video cameras to deter loiterers.
In further hearings of the council acting as the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board last month, the council decided after lengthy testimony that a liquor store near City Hall had violations warranting a 30-day suspension and a West Front Street nightclub should be shut down for 12 days, including two weekends.
The Watchung Avenue store between City Hall and police headquarters , George W. Bantle Liquors, sold liquor to minors on four occasions, according to Frank Capece, special counsel for ABC matters.
The West Front Street club, Pueblo Viejo, generated 27 police calls within several months, but no violations, Capece said. But the Aug. 1 resolution said the club had a violation, “Nuisance adversely affecting the public safety.”
The council ordered suspensions for the liquor store and nightclub effective Monday (Aug. 8, 2005) which means Pueblo Viejo only gets suspended for just one weekend.
However, both can evade the suspensions by filing appeals.
With more than 30 liquor establishments on the books, the council has asked for more timely reports on violations so the governing body can exercise its powers as ABC board on a more timely basis.
COMMENT: The question that comes to mind, when violations dating back three years now seem urgent, is why the council does not address the problems in the context of annual license renewal hearings.
--Bernice Paglia
posted by Bernice at 9:32 AM
<< Home