LA PLATA, Md. — Tensions rose during the April 10 meeting of the Charles County Board of License Commissioners as members confronted procedural concerns surrounding two show-cause orders signed by Chair Kathleen Quade without a formal vote. The orders targeting Bayou Girl Drink Factory and Port Tobacco Marina were ultimately dismissed after board members and legal counsel challenged their validity.
One order was directed at Renee Contrel Smith, owner of Bayou Girl Drink Factory LLC, located at 228 Rosewick Road in La Plata. The second was issued to William T. Sandy of Southern Maryland Marina LLC, trading as Port Tobacco Marina at 7536 Shirley Boulevard in Port Tobacco, alleging a violation of Rule 6.106. Sandy was represented by attorney David Martinez.
Board Member Michelle Jones pushed back against Quade’s assertion that the order involving Bayou Girl Drink Factory was supported by a board vote. “The only person that was involved in that discussion was Madam Chair, no one else on this board concurred with issuing a show-cause order,” Jones said. “That was such a waste of time, and I want to go on the record as saying I was never asked whether or not this show—”
During the Port Tobacco Marina discussion, Martinez attempted to make a motion to dismiss the order but was initially denied by Quade, who responded, “No, the show-cause was processed by a vote of this board, and we will continue with that.”
Jones responded firmly, “I disagree. I never voted on issuing the show-cause for Mr. Sandy.”
She stated the importance of due process. “I think it’s a due process issue not allowing Mr. Sandy’s attorney to make a motion in front of this board. You just told him no, he couldn’t make a motion,” she added.
At that point, board attorney Zhypar Beishenalieva clarified the correct procedure. “He’s making the motion to dismiss,” Beishenalieva stated. “And that is the motion for the board to consider, and then upon consideration, the board makes a decision.”
Following the clarification, Quade apologized and allowed the motion to proceed.
Martinez then argued the order lacked investigative foundation. “There’s two primary points here,” he said. “I don’t believe the show-cause was properly brought by the board. It was not based on an incident report from alcohol enforcement. It was not based on an incident report from the inspector. It was really not based on any investigation.”
The board ultimately confirmed that neither order had been properly authorized and raised concerns about the use of county resources in pursuing them. The show-cause order for Bayou Girl Drink Factory was not served by the April 1 deadline and was, therefore, void. The Port Tobacco Marina case, though contested, was also dismissed.
Board members agreed that any future disciplinary actions, including show-cause orders, must follow formal board action and be supported by documented evidence. During the Bayou Girl Drink Factory discussion, Associate Attorney Marc Potter clarified that moving forward, all show-cause orders would be brought before the board for a formal vote before issuance.
No further enforcement actions were taken during the April 11 meeting.
See the meeting on CCGTV.
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Sounds like funny business going on at the meetings.
Always has been, this is just a smaller form of government you seem to be speaking up for all the time.