What happened at the Liquor Board on June 2, 2016.

Chairman Matriciani said that, having reviewed the motions for both sides, he was inclined to deny the motion for reconsideration, due to insufficient grounds.

Commissioner Moore disagreed. What concerned her most was Mr. Curtis’s signature on the petition to protest the renewal of the license, since Mr. Curtis is a Baltimore City liquor licensee at a hotel in Mount Vernon, “which is not permitted by our rules.” She said that, by itself, was not “such a huge problem” since there were many more than 10 signatories. She said that her problem was Curtis’s testimony at the hearing as a “competing licensee.” He was not permitted to participate, said Moore, per the BLLC’s rules. For that reason, she would grant the motion for reconsideration.

Commissioner Greenfield agreed with Commissioner Moore. He said that Curtis’s testimony is in violation of Article 2B section 10-301 and for that reason he would support the motion.

The Board then discussed whether the withdrawal of the protest by Mercy Medical would mean that the case is dismissed. Under the Pridgeon case, which Commissioner Moore stated the holding of, the Board is required to hear any testimony from anyone present, but no one else offered any testimony.

The Chairman asked whether the Board can conditionally renew the license. Mr. Thomas Akras responded that the Board has only two choices: to renew or not renew.

After further questioning, Mr. Hurdle explained that there had been some discussion in the past of the possibility of adding outdoor seating, which the community members who lived nearby opposed. They were concerned about a playground next to the bar and the effect that outdoor drinking might have. The licensee clarified that he has no plans for outdoor tables, either now or in the future. The bar has never had any violations.

Ms. Maria Moses testified that she lives two doors down from the establishment and that the owners of the business allow drug dealers to loiter there. On January 30, 2016, Ms. Moses said that a drug dealer was kicking in her door. He went inside the liquor store, according to Moses, retrieved a two-by-four piece of lumber, and was intending to use it to attack Ms. Moses. Moses said that she saw the piece of wood inside the liquor store, behind the counter, after the incident. Moses says that there is a school across the street, and children from that school buy cigarillos every single day. (Cigarillos are small cigars, which are sometimes flavored. Public health experts often claim that their candy flavors, like chocolate, strawberry, grape, and fruit punch, are marketed to children.) Maria said that she tells the owners of the store that they cannot sell tobacco to minors. On cross-examination, Moses admitted that she is a convicted drug felon but said that she has devoted her life to cleaning up neighborhoods.

Ms. Nancy McCormick, president of the Mt Clare Community Association, stated that she lives around the corner but hasn’t personally witnessed any illegal activity herself. She says that she does not like the idea of minors going inside liquor stores and there should be a sign that says “no minors allowed.” The neighborhood does have a drug problem, and Ms. Moses is trying to help clean it up.

Ms. Josephine Battaglia testified that she has personally witnessed children, teenagers, and young people who she knows to be drug dealers inside the establishment. She says that she never sees the owners do anything about the children in the establishment. Commissioner Moore noted that the establishment sells other products that are nonalcoholic, which the children may be purchasing. The community members responded that the children shouldn’t be inside the store anyway. They have not personally witnessed any drug sales inside or any sales to minors.

The licensee, Mr. Wang, testified that he never sells tobacco to minors, and he always asks for ID. Another employee, Ms. Lee Wei, testified that Ms. Moses is giving everyone trouble, and that the police told her to get a restraining order against Moses. She said that she never gave anyone a 2×4.

Commissioner Greenfield and Commissioner Moore echoed the Chairman’s thoughts and encouraged the community members and the licensee to work together to address drug trafficking and any purchase of alcohol or tobacco by minors.