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City begins hearings for new entertainment licenses

Date: 3/13/2012

March 12, 2012

By G. Michael Dobbs

news@thereminder.com

SPRINGFIELD — The hearings have begun to determine which bars and nightclubs will receive an extension of their permit to allow them to extend entertainment until 2 a.m.

The ordinance that will close down juke boxes, pool tables, television sets, karaoke machines and live entertainment throughout the city by 1 a.m. will go into effect on April 6. Mayor Domenic Sarno proposed the ordinance as a means to prevent violence in the Entertainment District.

As of last week, the following businesses had applied for the extension and were scheduled for hearings: Chessman Lounge, Mattie's Café, McCafferty's, Smith Billiards, X-Pub, Coconuts, Scores, Fifth Alarm, Xstatic, The Ale House, Center Stage, Fat Cat Bar & Grille, Aquarius, Cabaret, Odyssey, Kick Back Lounge, Harmony Lodge, John Boyle O'Reilly, Shakago Martini & Piano Bar, Solmar Restaurant, Abica Bar & Grill, Glo Ultra Lounge, Kush, The Shadow Lounge, Mardi Gras, Royal Seasons, Mr. D's Sport Bar, Mike's Eastside Pub, Panache Banquet hall, Limelight Room, O'Brien's and City Line Café.

Attorney Alesia Days was appointed as the hearing officer for the city and began presiding over the meetings on March 1. She explained to the managers of record and owners of the businesses who met with her that she will forward her written reports from the meeting to Sarno who is responsible for the final decisions about which establishment receives an extension.

Stephen Reilly Jr., the counsel to the City of Springfield Board of License Commissioners, also presented information about each applicant and asked questions of him or her.

Reilly said that businesses that have more than 40 percent of their receipts from food sales are exempt from the ordinance.

Each business is required to fill out an application that details what kind of entertainment it would be presenting as well as details about the club's security plan, measures it takes to prevent the over-service of alcohol and the legal number of patrons allowed in the business.

The format of the hearings includes the presentation of the applications and any materials concerning the violation history of the business. On March 7, at the hearing for Smith's Billiards, for example, there was no history of liquor violations, according to police reports.

An hour later, at the hearing for The X-Pub, one incidence, dating back to 2006, which resulted in a warning letter being placed in its file, was discussed.

The hearings are scheduled to continue through March 27.



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