Prince Frederick, MD – On Thursday, Jan. 22 the Calvert County Liquor Board met for the first time in 2015. The panel heard testimony regarding several vendor violations, including a case involving a Solomons liquor store, Port of Call Liquors.

The store, which is managed by former county commissioner Jerry Clark, was cited last month for violations of the law prohibiting the sale of alcohol to minors. The minors in this case were a 17-year-old and 19-year-old, members of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Explorers. According to Dfc. Mark Robshaw, the teens were participating in an initiative funded by the grant money that created the Chesapeake Ranch Estates (CRE) Alcohol Coalition.

When asked by Port of Call’s attorney, Lawrence Cumberland, if he had been instructed by his superiors to specifically target the Solomons store, Robshaw said no.

Clark, whose sister owns the store, was extremely contrite. “I’m totally embarrassed,” said Clark, who noted he has been a businessman in Calvert since 1977 and added that as a county commissioner had advocated for programs such as the CRE Alcohol Coalition.

The illegal sales occurred when a store employee, who Clark praised as loyal and competent, had “a mental lapse” and failed to use the business’s electronic scanner to check the I.D.s. “He’s like part of the family but there’s no excuse for what happened,” said Clark. “I take full responsibility that this did happen.”

Two members of the Solomons Business Association (SBA)—Chris McNelis and Matt Gambrills—addressed the board on Port of Call’s behalf.

“Their business is clean and they have an excellent reputation,” said McNelis, who noted Clark is a charter member of SBA.

“They act professionally,” said Gambrills.

Liquor Board member Malcolm Funn noted that Port of Call had a previous violation on a similar charge within the last two years. “Unfortunately it happens and actions have to be taken,” said Funn.

Funn moved to impose a five day suspension, hold the suspension in abeyance for 30 days and levy a $1,000 fine.

Clark, who indicated he was aware some punitive measures were warranted, thanked the board for hearing the business’s side of the story. “Every case is different,” said Clark.

In other action, the board fined Mimi’s Station Sport Bar in Lusby for a sale of alcohol to a minor. As was the case with Port of Call, the incident stemmed from a sheriff’s office check involving an Explorer. The bar’s co-owner, Geoff Ricker, said the sale occurred as a result of “confusion during a shift change.” He vowed the indiscretion would not reoccur. “We’re about community, we’re a family business,” said Ricker, who added his business was a strong supporter of sports at nearby Patuxent High School.

Mimi’s was fined $500 for the violation.

Also on the agenda was The Striped Rock of Solomons, however, no one representing the restaurant attended the session, a fact that displeased members of the board. The Striped Rock was cited for selling/serving after midnight. By law, restaurant officials have 10 days to submit an affidavit to the Liquor Board showing cause for not appearing at the meeting.

Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com