Seaside View slapped with a $500 fine from Alcohol Beverage Board
Leonardtown, MD – Business owner, Kevin Graham of Seaside View Restaurant learned the importance of reading all the rules, regulations, and restrictions when holding a liquor license in St. Mary’s County. On Dec. 8, Seaside View Restaurant located in Ridge received a $500 fine from the Alcohol Beverage Board for the possession of alcoholic beverages from an unapproved source.
Seaside View Restaurant received a citation during a routine inspection performed by board Inspector Garland Thompson. Thompson said that during the evening of Sept. 2, he found “two cases of beer, a bottle of homemade wine and a bottle of Cognac in a storage refrigerator located on the property.” When he asked for the receipts to document the inventory of the bar’s purchases, these items could not be accounted for by documentation.
Board Vice-Chair Linda Palchinsky asked if he had received a copy of the rules and regulations. Graham held up a copy of the regulation booklet and said, “Yes, I have a copy of it now.” Palchinsky asked, “Did you read it and understand why you violated the rules?”
Graham said, “I was not present at the time of the incident, it was my brother, Kirt Graham who actually put the things in the refrigerator.” Graham further explained, “My family was preparing to celebrate my daughter’s 21st birthday party and two of those items were gifts for the celebration.” In error, his brother was storing these items on the property of the bar and grille and he said, he understood why it was unacceptable and this has been a costly lesson.
Graham admitted he has been on the road a lot since receiving his liquor license in June 2016. “I drive a truck and it is parked out front, but understand where we failed here.”
Chair Theodore Belleavoine said, “If you have a license to serve or sell alcohol in St. Mary’s County, it is important to read and understand all the rules, regulations, and restrictions.” He told Graham that the rules also applied to his brother. Belleavoine asked, “Has your brother been to the RAST (Responsible Alcohol Safety) training?” Graham answered, “Yes, sir he has and he should have known better.”
Graham was fined $500, with $250 suspended and 10 days to pay. In addition, he was told that the Seaside View Bar and Grille will be on probation for the next three years.
Graham told the board he decided to close since this occurred and regroup until it got warmer. Graham said, “Most of my customers are from campgrounds and by the time it gets warmer we will have everything in order.”
Speaking of Responsible Alcohol Safety, the next scheduled RAST training isTuesday, Dec. 27. Corporal Stone of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Department said, “I received orders that my post is being changed effective Friday, Dec. 16, and I am to report to Control Center.”
This news was a shocker to Alcohol Beverage Board members. Vice-Chair Linda Palchinsky said, “Regulations state there must an Enforcement Officer as a member of the Alcohol Beverage Board until Dec. 31, and the officer runs the RAST training.”
The position has been advertised for the past year and no one has applied. Cpl. Stone said, “We have not had any takers for the position, it is believed to be a retirement job.” Cpl. Stone said, “I don’t know what else to say, but I have my orders from command.” Board members were baffled as to how they should proceed and decided to contact the sheriff’s office to try and gain resolution.
During the meeting, special New Year’s Eve liquor licenses were approved for several businesses. Who is going to enforce any violations during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday? The county has two weeks to hire someone and train them.
Contact Shertina Mack at s.mack@TheBayNet.com