Page 36 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch July 19, 2013 $500 Fines Issued For Underage Alcohol Sales By TRAVIS BROWN STAFF WRITER SNOW HILL – Hearings for seven different alcohol license violations managed to only generate a collective $2,000 in fines at this month’s Board of License Commissioners (BLC) hearing. Approval was also granted for a premises change at an Ocean City restaurant that recently came under fire for noise violations. The board judged seven of the nine license violation charges on this month’s agenda, with two of the hearings suspended. The Plaza Tapatia in Pocomoke and the location in Ocean Pines were both delayed until next month. Of the remaining seven violations, four received a $500 fine each, while the other three only received official letters of reprimand. The first violation hearing was for the Ocean Pines Beach Club, which was unique in that it was the only business this month that infringed upon the entertainment portion of its license as opposed to the rules for alcohol. Attorney Joe Moore, on behalf of Ocean Pines, told the board that while a “technical violation” did oc- cur, the club was not really at fault. Earlier this summer at a private wedding which took place at the club, a band hired by the wedding party played past the club’s deadline for outdoor music. “It was there. There was a band there and when the officer came up at 10:32 at night he could hear it, so I suppose that’s a technical violation. Likewise, I suppose that it’s a technical violation of our license,” said Moore. But he pointed out that the club did not arrange for the band, merely allowed it to be there. In response to the violation, the club no longer allows outdoor music at private events past 7 p.m. BLC Chair William Esham reminded Moore that a technical violation is still a violation, but the board voted to only issue a letter of reprimand to the club in lieu of a fine. The Upper Deck Restaurant and Lounge in Pocomoke didn’t fare as well in its hearing for the sale of alcohol to a minor. Owner Brian Julian explained that the sale happened because the officer and cadet who were there for the compliance check visited at an extremely busy time and so were seated, had their order taken and were served by three different individuals. Julian admitted that it was not an excuse, only an explanation, and that it’s been a wake-up call. Because Upper Deck had one previ- ous violation, a $500 fine was imposed for the violation. Town Market in Snow Hill received the same penalty. It was also in front of the BLC for its second violation since 2011. Owner TJ Patel told the board that the compliance check had occurred while his mother was briefly watching the register, something which is unusual, and she forgot to card. Patel was fined $500 and the BLC stressed the importance of only allowing cashiers who are TAM certified to sell alcohol whenever possible. Smith’s Market in Showell received the third consecutive $500 fine for the day. The violation was uncommon in that the clerk did card the underage police cadet but still sold the alcohol. It was merely a case of dates getting mixed up, said attorney Hugh Cropper, who represented the market. The clerk who made the sale was confused over the dates, said Cropper, who then admitted that, because the license was vertical which means the owner is usually under 21, it should have been rejected out of hand. “Don’t take any vertical licenses even if they’re 21,” Cropper advised. Still, he pointed out that there is a brief period “when somebody reaches the age of 21 the vertical license doesn’t automatically expire” in SEE NEXT PAGE OPEN DAILY AT 11 A.M. 28th St. Plaza 410-289-3100 www.coinspub.com OLD SCHOOL SATURDAY, JULY 20 HAPPY HOUR Food & Drink Specials Daily 3 p.m.-6 p.m. EARLY BIRD Special Dinner Menu Daily 4 p.m.-6 p.m. KITCHEN OPEN LATE Buzztime • Keno