Not long ago I received a letter from a concerned taxpayer asking if I could help with one of their concerns. It seems the new restaurant Skipjack's applied for a liquor license and was accepted. However, the big question was, is the restaurant too close to Pemberton Elementary?
Letters were sent around to what I felt were the proper Departments and Politicians and after a short period of time a letter was in fact returned by the Wicomico County Liquor Licensing Commissioners.
"Thank you for your contact regarding Skipjack's liquor license. This application was heard at the advertised public hearing on February 20, 2008. The owner of Skipjacks is the only person that appeared at the public hearing. At the time, the construction of the building was just beginning and our inspectors did the best they could in determining the placement of the doors. Article 2-B allows a license to be issued no closer than 500 feet walking distance from door to door of a school or church.
I visited the site yesterday and I have asked our inspectors to revisit and measure the distance again. I also have been in contact with our attorney who is reviewing this application and Article 2-B.
As soon as we receive the additional information, I will be in contact with you.
Thanks again,
Wicomico County Liquor Licensing Commissioners.
A. Kaye Kenney
Chair"
I'd like to thank Mr. Pollitt, Mr. Fineran and the Liquor Commission for their attention on this matter. It clearly shows Wicomico County will do what is right/legal. I'm just disappointed this wasn't further researched so as it didn't bring any hardship to the property owner as losing their ability to serve liquor could be critical to their success and they may have chosen another location to build their establishment.
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29 comments:
Don't we pay people to clear this type of thing before this point ?
Wicomico Co would be paying for me to relocate.
Where's the new Skipjack's going to be located?
When the Shorebirds stadium was being designed, they had to "turn" it because orginally the entrance was going to face Hobbs Road, which would have been facing the church and school across the street.
I drive past this site several times daily and have never seen signs advertising any kind of hearing. There was, for awhile, a sign saying Skipjacks Seafood was coming, but we assumed it was a seafood retail store...there is no way..I repeat, NO WAY that there is adequate parking for a restaurant, especially one which allows folks to linger over a cocktail or other alcoholic libation....or eat crabs. There's something askew here....
Something askew in Wicomico county or in SBY? Surely you jest! I've decided that this is Shangri-La-sbury. The City council is wonderful and on top of all things, the county is wonderful and on top of all things, we're experiencing growth unprecedented in our history. What else could we ask for?
Do we believe that someone bought land, designed and then built a building, and NEVER measured the distance themself? Hard to believe. I think this Skipjack guy was unable to believe his good fortune that either 1.He got one over on them, 2.He found someone who didn't care,to approve his license, 3.His own measuring tape, although not the regulation 12"= 1 foot, was good enough to get his permit, or, 4.There is something wrong with this whole thing.
I suspect it's 4. I know, I know, there's always someone who suspects bad intent in any situation. It's just that I can't believe he'd even apply for a liquor license with so much distance missing. I mean, it's not even close to what's allowed. Someone might make a mistake over a few feet, even maybe 5% of the distance required. BUT 120 feet? Who would even consider wasting the time asking? In any other jurisdiction they probably wouldn't have. Sometimes even those of us who always see a conspiracy are right.
I always knew that Board was on the take, anything they can sweep under the rug they will!
While I totally agree with the law being enforced, to do so in a case like this AFTER THE FACT does not make sense...
whats the point of caring about the proximity to the school... we all know that people dont go out and eat while kids are in school, nor do they sit and linger in parking lots at crab houses. john (the owner) is a great guy, would mean no kid any harm and would never operate an establishment of any detriment to the school... at all... i hate when good laws are put on people/businesses that they were not intended for. now, on the other hand, would a liquor store there make sense? no. thats what the law should prohibit, not a family restaurant that will most likely do the lionshare of its business AFTER SCHOOL and in the summer when crabs and other seafood are in high demand... goooood loord!
I don't think anyone would disagree that John is a great guy. However, John is also a very smart business man that should have 100% known of the 500 foot law.
That particular law has been on the books for as long as I can remember. If you want it changed you'll probably have to take it all the way to Annapolis and find support, in which I doubt very seriously you'll come even close to getting.
You cant make me believe for 1 minute that the Board couldnt take the building plans and a scaled map and calculate EXACTLY were those doors were going!!! And that goes double for the owner! Its a plain out lie for an excuse about it being under construction and cant measure it right, hell the back of the lot isnt 500' away!!Heads need to roll on that Board, they knew damn well it wasnt right and they knew there'd be a problem revoking the license too!! The Law should be changed to 1500yards just like the adult stores!
I'm not against alcohol, I drink my fare share. Its the liers and lawbreakers and crooked dept heads that make me wanna swing my dble barrel!!!
hip.boots
"we all know that people dont go out and eat while kids are in school, nor do they sit and linger in parking lots at crab houses"
I guess that means we don't see some executives going out for the "two martini lunch" nowadays? Surely, you jest. And I suppose children participating in after school programs or folks attending the evening PTA meetings or special events will never see some intoxicated person leaving Skipjack's one evening after a few too many.
Rules and regulations are there for a reason. The fact that the owner may be a terrific guy is insignificant.
I have children that attend Pemberton Elementary, and I've seen the sign that Skipjack's was "coming soon" though I believed it to be a retail shop, selling take-out seafood. I didn't realize it was a restaurant with a liquor license...right outside the schoolhouse doors.
Amazing.
Sir:
So is ignorance of the law now an excuse???
" . . . I'm just disappointed this wasn't further researched so as it didn't bring any hardship to the property owner as losing their ability to serve liquor could be critical to their success . . ."
The law is the law. 500 feet is the legal requirement. Once you start bending the law for one person, you have opened up the can of worms. I you give John 200 feet easement then it is only fair to give Joe Blow 450 feet the next time. Why have the law. It seems that there are too many errors being made by the city and county governments. To entice govt. officials to be more conscientious they should be fined or fired if they aren't capable of checking and rechecking every permit or permission granted.Thanks to people like Joe ,we are being made aware of errors or coverups with some smile money slipped under the table. Kind of makes you wonder with all that has been going on as to who is honest and who isn't. Joe--a great idea would be to have watchdogs in each department like we have voting pole watchers.Enough money is stolen and wasted to pay their salary.
Why is alcohol always the excuse for making money. I'm so sick of hearing how someone can't make money because they can't sell alcohol. That is Gary Mackes favorite song. Where is it written that a business can't thrive without alcohol? When did alcohol become part of the family equation? If it's a family restaurant then why do you need to sell alcohol? Fine example being set for the kids.
If you want to drink, do it at home where you won't be driving home half lit after dinner. Laws on the books against drunk driving and driving under the influence. Well if you had a couple of drinks before, during and after dinner you ARE driving under the influence.
Whats the point of caring about the proximity to the school...The kids are using drugs, snorting hair spray, smoking weed,etc. Maybe a little interest in drinking alcohol would be healthier. While we are not adhering to the 500 feet requirement, then let's relax the age requirement to buy alcohol to maybe 12 years of age. The kids wouldn't be driving but walking or being chauffuered I hope you all can see how foolish it is to not obey the laws that were carefully examined and passed for everyone's protection.Money, politics and friendships confuse the interpretation of laws sometimes.
anon 5:23
I'm sure you mean "amazing" in a bad way.
I've watched this building go up, and like you assumed it was a take out or retail shop. I even questioned if there was enough parking for that, and how would cars maneuver in such a small area.
THEN they added the wing to the side, thereby eliminating even more potential parking spots. Who was the genius who approved this?
What office would have been in charge of issuing this permit?
I most certainly agree the law was installed for a good reason.However it came to be for the owner of the property to obtain a liquor license with the plan reviews and boards of this county is beyond me.You also have to look at the corner store where some of the children have to pass by every day. I have been there on several occasions and would not want my kids exposed to the trash that hangs out around there.This situation also involves some more of that good ole boy crap that needs to cut out around here.The only correct thing to do is revoke the license due to the law and hold accountable the very ones that let this get swept under the rug.We have enough problems with our youth today without them being exposed to this type of activity.
The kids there don't need booze, they have the big crack market at Pemberton Manor. Their existing neighbors get "First Crack At Them."
joe , sounds like a job for ole gangbusters to get to the bottom of this cowpie.he likes the fishy smellin ones anyway.
Alcohol has a much higher mark-up, it helps keep the food prices down.
In Europe kids that grow up used to having wine with dinner, when is the last time you heard that a student gunned down a slew of students in Europe? Ok some country's like Great Britian, guns are outlawed, but they are to be had if you try hard enough.
Heck, with some 4 inch PVC pipe, some hair spray, some short steel pipe, and a flash, there you go you have a rocket launcher.
There is a similar issue in Crisfield-Tom Farina wants to re-open his former formal dining restaurant as a sports bar-and the city is blocking him every step of the way because of an old city law that bars-get aload of this-any establishment with pool tables from serving booze-I kid you not.There ARE license holders in the area who have multiple pool tables, but they are all in private clubs,which are exempt.
Perhaps the business owner was unaware of the law--possible. But how could the licensing agency be unaware?
Good Luck with this new business!
It's good to see prosperity in our town. He should get alot of
business at this great location. I wish John well!
This situation is just another example of the Salisbury/Wicomico County creed: Laws apply only to those developers and businessmen dumb enough to follow them. Those who ask for exceptions and variances will have them granted. Developers will never be expected to read and conform to the existing legislation. Planning and Zoning will allow unrestricted development, never say no to a developer or builder and reap rewards from the Chamber of Commerce. Route 13 North is a product of P and Z's careful planning and strict adherence to zoning. To have the bypass exit located just past Arby's and to have Centre Road pass directly beside Arby's was not in the original master plan for that area. Such is the power of a few businessmen to hold the rest of us hostage.
Life is very simple. You are either in the group of priviledge or you exist in the majority group who abide by all laws and work for the group in control of government, laws and their interpretations.Thus, we have the haves and the have-nots. Which group are you in? Are you happy with the American way of life?If not ,wy don't you do something about it at the next election!
"It's easier to ask forgiveness than seek permission" seems to be the sentiment with this situation.
Does anyone even care that "P-BLOCK" as it is "affectionally" known,BACKS RIGHT UP TO THE SCHOOL?
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