Citing complaints from constituents concerned that package stores in Park Heights are selling alcohol to minors and violating other liquor laws, City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake wants the city Liquor Board chairman to answer questions about enforcement policies.
Rawlings-Blake was to introduce a resolution at Monday?s evening?s City Council meeting requesting Stephan Fogleman and other liquor board members to testify before the council.
“Park Heights has a number of liquor establishments which have been cited several times for providing alcohol to minors and violating the terms of their license,” said Shaun Adamec, spokesman for Rawlings-Blake.
At issue, Adamec said, are B7 licenses that allow taverns to sell take-out liquor seven days a week. Adamec said many of the businesses in Park Heights that sell liquor seven days a week do not have seating for patrons, a requirement for a seven-day-a-week license.
During a walk-through in January, Rawlings-Blake tried to be seated at several package stores in question, Adamec said.
“She found that many of the package stores did not have seating and were in violation,” he said.
Fogleman said the board, a state agency, would comply with the request to testify.
“We look forward to the speaking with the City Council. My doors are always open to work in concert with them,” he said Monday in a phone interview.
Fogleman said the board has been aggressively enforcing liquor laws in the city.
“We fined bars over $100,000 in the past eight months, and closed several establishments, one for 10 days on a first violation of underage drinking,” Fogleman said.
“We take our job very seriously.”
