6 businesses to appear before Statesboro Council on alcohol violations

Six businesses will kick their New Year off by appearing before the Statesboro City Council following accusations of alcohol ordinance violations.

The Council will hold Administrative Hearings for alleged Alcohol Violations as pursuant to Chapter 6 of the City of Statesboro Alcohol Ordinance, a code passed by the Council and enforced by the Statesboro Police Department.

The Statesboro Police Department, at the direction of Council, has been conducting random compliance checks at Statesboro businesses throughout each month. Those found in violation must appear before the council, something they may do in the presence of an attorney. The Council, based on the severity of the violation, determines whether a warning or a punishment is necessary. In many instances, businesses have their alcohol licenses suspended for a period of time.

The Council also takes into consideration how many violations the business, or business owner, has had in the last 5 years.

Among those set to appear on January 3rd:

• Main Street Bar & Grill – Hazrat Rehmen  – 230 South Main Street
  • Charged with 2 counts of sale to underage patrons
  • One previous violation in February 2015 for sale to underage persons
• Gnats Landing – Clyde Al Chapman III – 470 South Main Street
  • For two violations on December 8, 2016 – for sale to underage patrons
  • One previous violation in February 2015 for sale to underage persons
• El Jalapeno Mexican Restaurant – 711 South Main Street
  • For two violations on December 8, 2016 for sale to underage patrons
  • Previous violation in February 2015 for “exceeding the legal occupancy load”
• GATA’s Sports Bar & Grill – 67 GATA Drive
  • For two violations on December 8, 2016 for sale to underage patrons
  • 3 previous violations in September 2015 for sale to underage person
• Chili’s Bar & Grill – 435 Commerce Drive
  • For two violations on December 8, 2016 for sale to underage patrons
  • No previous violations
• Ruby Tuesday – 195 Northside Drive East
  • For two violations on December 8, 2016 for sale to underage patrons
  • One violation in March 2013, one violation in August 2013, and one violation in September 2014.

At the December meeting, the Council suspended the alcohol licenses of several business for several days, including the Neighborhood Market Wal-Mart.

You can see the entire agenda for the council meeting, which begins at 9:00 A.M. Tuesday, here.