During a hearing boycotted by Bo’Maz owners and representatives, the Walthourville City Council on Friday revoked the club’s license to serve alcohol on Sundays.
The hearing had been rescheduled from Oct. 2 because of a scheduling conflict with attorney Kimberly Copeland who represents Bo’Maz owners Bobby and Mazie Fabian. In the meantime, Copeland notified city officials that neither she nor her clients would attend or participate in the hearing.
Liberty County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Elpidio Fratichelli, who serves as head of Walthourville’s police, led a group of witnesses composed of law enforcement officers and Walthourville citizens.
Liberty County Chief Deputy Sheriff Keith Moran testified about his more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement, his view of law enforcement as a business and the need for community support. He said it was the duty of police to identify “crime conducive” areas.
Moran referred to a history of problems at Bo’Maz and said while it was difficult to compare one club to another, there had been incidents of “violation with violence” at Bo’Maz which required the response of all the Liberty County deputies on duty at the time, placing the rest of the county at risk.
When Fratichelli spoke he expressed, “surprise and disbelief that we continue to entertain this issue — an issue of public safety.”
He noted he was making his presentation for the fourth time, including the session the Bo’Maz owners had not attended.
He noted statistics that showed 28 police responses to Bo’Maz in a five-month period compared to “minimal, very minimal” calls to any other location.
Over a one-year period, Fratichelli said there had been 80 calls to Bo’Maz and 10 or 11 to any other establishment.
Fratichelli also said Bo’Maz had been cited nine times by the state fire marshal.
In addition to four law enforcement officers, a Walthourville citizen, Esau Kelly testified. He said he lived in close proximity to Bo’Maz and, “At times I don’t feel I’m safe in my home,” adding, “Sometimes I can’t go outside my house.”
Kelly said, “Mr. Fabian should have his rights, but it seems like it’s his rights versus the rights of every other citizen.”
The council recently repealed the amendment that re-instituted selling and serving alcohol until 2:55 a.m. Monday through Sunday morning, and from 12:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon until midnight.
The hearing had been rescheduled from Oct. 2 because of a scheduling conflict with attorney Kimberly Copeland who represents Bo’Maz owners Bobby and Mazie Fabian. In the meantime, Copeland notified city officials that neither she nor her clients would attend or participate in the hearing.
Liberty County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Elpidio Fratichelli, who serves as head of Walthourville’s police, led a group of witnesses composed of law enforcement officers and Walthourville citizens.
Liberty County Chief Deputy Sheriff Keith Moran testified about his more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement, his view of law enforcement as a business and the need for community support. He said it was the duty of police to identify “crime conducive” areas.
Moran referred to a history of problems at Bo’Maz and said while it was difficult to compare one club to another, there had been incidents of “violation with violence” at Bo’Maz which required the response of all the Liberty County deputies on duty at the time, placing the rest of the county at risk.
When Fratichelli spoke he expressed, “surprise and disbelief that we continue to entertain this issue — an issue of public safety.”
He noted he was making his presentation for the fourth time, including the session the Bo’Maz owners had not attended.
He noted statistics that showed 28 police responses to Bo’Maz in a five-month period compared to “minimal, very minimal” calls to any other location.
Over a one-year period, Fratichelli said there had been 80 calls to Bo’Maz and 10 or 11 to any other establishment.
Fratichelli also said Bo’Maz had been cited nine times by the state fire marshal.
In addition to four law enforcement officers, a Walthourville citizen, Esau Kelly testified. He said he lived in close proximity to Bo’Maz and, “At times I don’t feel I’m safe in my home,” adding, “Sometimes I can’t go outside my house.”
Kelly said, “Mr. Fabian should have his rights, but it seems like it’s his rights versus the rights of every other citizen.”
The council recently repealed the amendment that re-instituted selling and serving alcohol until 2:55 a.m. Monday through Sunday morning, and from 12:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon until midnight.