MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS
OF CECIL COUNTY

The Board of License Commissioners of Cecil County met in a regular session at the County Administrative Building, Conference Room, 200 Chesapeake Boulevard, Elk Room, Elkton, MD on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 9:15 A.M.

PRESENT:        Tim Snelling, Chairman

William Gerweck, Commissioner

Carrie L. Taylor, Commissioner

                        H. Norman Wilson, Jr., Esquire

                        Earl R. Bradford, Chief Alcohol Beverage Inspector

VIOLATION - Underage Sales - Eric Jay Polansky, Member; EJP, LLC, Jeffrey Isaacs, Managing Member; Paradise Grill, LLC; T/A Paradise Grill, 510 Main Street, North East, MD 21901

Jeffrey Isaacs appeared before the Board; Mr. Isaacs and Chief Bradford were duly sworn by the Clerk.  Chief Bradford asked Mr. Isaacs if he had received the letter regarding the hearing at least 10 days prior to the hearing date, Mr. Isaacs stated he had.  Mr. Isaacs agreed to continue on a statement of facts; Chief Bradford read his report into the record.  Chairman Snelling asked Mr. Isaacs if he had anything to add; Mr. Isaacs stated he is not very happy this happened; they were at the time preparing a meal for the community, he said he's not giving any excuses, the bartender has been suspended, they are looking into buying a card reader when they can better afford to purchase one, he asked for leniency from the Board.  Chairman Snelling stated the Board would make their decision and he would receive a letter by certified mail.

BOARD DECISION:      Guilty - $250 fine and waive the administrative fee.

SHOW CAUSE – Change of Trade Name  -Ashok Maganbhai Patel, President; Ila Ashok Patel, Secretary/Treasurer;
Robert Valliant Jones, Resident Agent; Amit, Inc., T/A Schroeder's Liquors, 479 North East Road, North East, MD 21901

Mr. Patel appeared before the Board; Chief Bradford stated he has spoken with Mr. Patel and explained that Mr. Patel had contacted attorney, Bob Jones, who had contacted through email, Administrative Assistant, Robin Coyle, who had been out on sick leave for several weeks.  In the meantime, Mr. Patel had contacted the State and made all the necessary changes with them for the name change and contacted the Cecil Whig running ads advertising the new name.  Mr. Patel apologized, stating he just didn't know what he needed to do first.  Commissioner Gerweck made a motion to approve the name change to Liquor World; Commissioner Taylor seconded that motion and the Board voted unanimously to approve the name change.

Change of Officers – Update - Constance M. Pawley, Member; 1190 Augustine Herman LC, Licensee; Francis P. Connors, Robert J. Ewing, CEO, Liberty Management, Lease Managers; T/A Bittersweet Golf Club @ Brantwood, 1190 Augustine Herman Highway, Elkton, MD 21921

Frances Patrick "Bud" Connors appeared before the Board; Mr. Connors stated he contacted Brian Davis to inform him that Constance Pawley needed to attend the hearing.  Commissioner Gerweck informed Mr. Connors that the fee for the fingerprint cards was still outstanding.  Commissioner Gerweck asked Mr. Connors to explain what is going on at the golf course; Mr. Connors stated Liberty Management is running the golf course business; they have contracted with Emperor LLC to operate the restaurant under Liberty Golf. 

Commissioner Gerweck asked "Are you doing any food business?" 

Mr. Connors stated, yes, the golf course is not busy, they are not getting the golfers they do nine months a year, they are open seven days a week. 

Commissioner Gerweck:   You basically turned the business into a disco.

Mr. Connors:                     We are planning to have country/western nights, Zumba and a considerable amount of the membership has asked for pool tables.

Commissioner Gerweck:   Are you there at night?

Mr. Connors:                     No, I'm there 6-8 AM to 6-8 PM

Chairman Snelling:           That is a Golf Course license – it is intended to be used in association with golf

Mr. Connors:                     My intent is to use it as a golf course license; we've had several weddings, political fundraisers, golf tournaments

Commissioner Gerweck:   You've changed the nature of the business without Board permission, advertising for bands on Facebook.  Things are happening there and we have no contact information.  That's a very dangerous intersection, it's dark, very dangerous.

Mr. Connors:                     I was contacted by Dr. Aslam from Emperor LLC to help take some of the financial burden away

Chief Bradford:                 Is it your long term goal to leave the license in 1190 Augustine Herman LC?

Mr. Connors:                     We had a three-year term with a fourth year buy-out; the long term goal is to stay on the license and gain back some of the money we've put out.  We pay the golf course employees, not Brian's employees – he stated Connie is not on the premises and is not included in the management of the business. 

Constance Pawley arrived from her medical appointment.

Chairman Snelling:           Please introduce yourself

Ms. Pawley:                       I'm Constance Pawley, I've been a resident of Cecil County since 1979; I'm a Nurse/Administrator in Dr. Aslam's group

Chief Bradford:                 Do you have any experience with alcohol sales?

Ms. Pawley:                       No

Mr. Wilson arrived after his appearance in District Court.

Mr. Wilson:                       Most golfers don't stay on after dark.  Explain the changes you've made.

Mr. Connors explained they've taken most of the pro shop, about 1/3 of the pro shop continues to be used as the pro shop, 2/3 has been added to the bar area which includes pool tables, tvs, etc.  Chairman Snelling stated they need to meet in Executive Session with Mr. Wilson – Commissioner Gerweck made a motion to go into Executive Session; Commissioner Taylor seconded that motion. 

BOARD DECISION:      The Board voted to send a letter to Bittersweet stating they are operating outside the scope of the Golf Course license as it is intended, such activity must cease immediately, if such activity continues they will be brought in for a violation hearing.  Chief Bradford will deliver the letter this afternoon.

Public Comments

General Business

·                     Approve Minutes

The October minutes were approved, however, Commissioner Gerweck asked that the tape be reviewed for Bittersweet to ensure the minutes reflect the decision on picking up the license at Bittersweet Golf Course.

·                     Catering Events

Mr. Wilson will look into the issue regarding the Catered Events license.

·                     Specials

Old Business

·                     The Anchorage

·                     Bees Nest Express – Jay has requested Board approval to open on Sunday – he will appear next month

·                     Legislation

New Business

With no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned.

BY:

Tim Snelling, Chairperson

ATTEST:

Robin S. Coyle, Administrative Assistant