By Neale Gulley<br><a href="mailto:gulleyn@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Neale</a>
Take one down, pass it around . . .
That apparently is the policy of the New York State Liquor Authority, which on Wednesday decided to revoke a second site permit for beer sales at the city’s less popular Wednesday night concert series.
The move follows a similar cancellation of permits for the city’s former Labatt Blue Light Saturday Concerts on the Canal, which has all but folded after allegations two undercover “decoys” were sold beer.
North Tonawanda Mayor Larry Soos on Thursday signed paperwork authorizing American Legion Post 264 to take over beer sales at the smaller Wednesday concerts on the canal following the New York State Liquor Authority’s decision this week to revoke a site-permit which, until now, was held by the Knights of Columbus.
“It will be like it never stopped,” Manager of American Legion of the Tonawandas Post 264 Bob Blazina said. “I sent the paperwork in (Thursday), I have the permits in my hot little hands and we should be able to continue next Wednesday. They’ve already been approved by the SLA.”
Knights of Columbus, which has held a permanent liquor license here since 1952, was notified by police Wednesday morning of the agency’s decision to revoke only a temporary “off-premesis” permit the group has used to run two beer tents for the event over the past seven years.
An underage “decoy” working for the North Tonawanda Police Department was sold beer in early July, and the resulting arrest of a 19-year-old “runner” July 2 was, according to police, sent to the liquor authority as is always the case with alcoholic-beverage control arrests.
Members of the Knights have said the 19-year-old wasn’t supposed to be selling alcohol, but was recruited to bus supplies to and from the tent.
The liquor authority on Thursday acknowledged the response was slow compared to their action toward permit holders at the Saturday series, who were shut down in the middle of a performance July 26 as the result of two arrests just one week earlier.
“We got the referral from the North Tonawanda Police Department. The reason it took a while — it was scanned in on Aug. 8 on our computers — but the police did send it in a timely manner,” Bill Crowley, public information officer for the liquor authority, said.
As for the extent of liability the Knights face against their license, it is a subjective question, Crowley said.
“We haven’t charged them at this point — it’s possible that we would charge them for serving a minor on their full license. It’s probably likely that will happen.”
Crowley admitted the Knights have an impressive record, with only one prior incident in 56 years. In 2006 they were cited for underage sale at a premises at 55 Main St., and subsequently paid a $1,500 fine.
“It’s impressive, but this agency has since its inception relied heavily on local law enforcement for its referrals.”
Crowley said difficult cases involving license holders are sent to a three-person board appointed by the governor and approved in the state Senate for a decision once charges have been leveled.
Each member, he said, has an independent vote in the decision to revoke. Considerations are the license holder’s history, the nature of the infraction and the severity of the infraction.
While officials have on more than one occasion referred to underage sale as a “serious offense,” Crowley said the relatively spotless record the Knights of Columbus boasts will likely be taken into consideration, should the matter reach the board.
A man who answered the phone at the Knights of Columbus Thursday had no comment.
Blazina said the American Legion tent, calling on 12 volunteers, will replace only beer sales on the North Tonawanda side, and will only be necessary for the Wednesday night shows. Friday shows are handled separately and will continue as usual.
He said the group has decided to use the wristband approach, but plans to check I.D. anyway.
“I’m not looking for any problems. We got an accolade from the (liquor authority) last year, they told us we were very diligent. They sent a decoy in last year and the bartender turned them away.”
Contact reporter Neale Gulleyat 693-1000, ext. 114.
