Bar Owner, Fined By Excise, Removes Gambling Devices
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
The Kosciusko County Alcoholic Beverage Commission doesn't have to tell Rex's Rendezvous owner Robin Watters twice that gambling devices are illegal.
Thursday, he told the ABC that he has taken them out of his business.
On July 26, 2003, at 12:15 a.m., excise police entered the tavern, where gambling was occurring. Watters was cited for allowing a minor to loiter, maintaining a public nuisance, professional gambling and having professional gambling devices.
He told the board Thursday that he had to pay a $900 fine. It was his first time for being cited for gambling.
Excise Officer Patty Fleck said she usually "goes three strikes and you're out. This would be your first time."
The board, ABC chairman Gordon Vanator said, has received many calls from citizens asking why the board has not done anything about gambling devices. The board, he said, will try to cooperate with the bar owners, but they want the gambling to stop.
After Watters said he took the machines out of his business, Fleck said, "We appreciate you coming into compliance."
Watters' retailer permits for beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales were up for renewal Thursday.
"We're going to approve (them) with the warning," Vanator added, which the board did unanimously.
In another matter, the ABC approved a transfer of stock for the beer and wine and beer, wine and liquor retailer permits for Wagon Wheel Productions, East Center Street, Warsaw.
Bruce Shaffner, of Wagon Wheel, said the business originally had five partners.
"Basically," he said, "they all sold out and I'm the sole owner (now)."
Also, permits approved by the board and that had no violations included:
• The Barbee Landing, Warsaw, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permits.
• Hacienda Mexican Restaurant, Warsaw, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permits.
• Mosaique Restaurant, Warsaw, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permits.
• Tippecanoe Lake Country Club, Leesburg, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permits.
• Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1126, Warsaw, beer, wine and liquor retailer permit.
• Wawasee Golf Club, Syracuse, beer and wine and Sunday sales retailer permit.
• King's Keg, North Webster, beer, wine and liquor dealer permit.
• Down Under, Syracuse, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permit.
• Jimmy's Restaurant and Lounge, North Webster, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permits.
ABC members present Thursday included chairman Gordon Vanator, excise officer Patty Fleck and Elim Smith. Not present was Kenneth Johnson. The board meets at 1 p.m. in the Kosciusko County Courthouse, Warsaw, on the first Thursday of every month. [[In-content Ad]]
The Kosciusko County Alcoholic Beverage Commission doesn't have to tell Rex's Rendezvous owner Robin Watters twice that gambling devices are illegal.
Thursday, he told the ABC that he has taken them out of his business.
On July 26, 2003, at 12:15 a.m., excise police entered the tavern, where gambling was occurring. Watters was cited for allowing a minor to loiter, maintaining a public nuisance, professional gambling and having professional gambling devices.
He told the board Thursday that he had to pay a $900 fine. It was his first time for being cited for gambling.
Excise Officer Patty Fleck said she usually "goes three strikes and you're out. This would be your first time."
The board, ABC chairman Gordon Vanator said, has received many calls from citizens asking why the board has not done anything about gambling devices. The board, he said, will try to cooperate with the bar owners, but they want the gambling to stop.
After Watters said he took the machines out of his business, Fleck said, "We appreciate you coming into compliance."
Watters' retailer permits for beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales were up for renewal Thursday.
"We're going to approve (them) with the warning," Vanator added, which the board did unanimously.
In another matter, the ABC approved a transfer of stock for the beer and wine and beer, wine and liquor retailer permits for Wagon Wheel Productions, East Center Street, Warsaw.
Bruce Shaffner, of Wagon Wheel, said the business originally had five partners.
"Basically," he said, "they all sold out and I'm the sole owner (now)."
Also, permits approved by the board and that had no violations included:
• The Barbee Landing, Warsaw, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permits.
• Hacienda Mexican Restaurant, Warsaw, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permits.
• Mosaique Restaurant, Warsaw, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permits.
• Tippecanoe Lake Country Club, Leesburg, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permits.
• Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1126, Warsaw, beer, wine and liquor retailer permit.
• Wawasee Golf Club, Syracuse, beer and wine and Sunday sales retailer permit.
• King's Keg, North Webster, beer, wine and liquor dealer permit.
• Down Under, Syracuse, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permit.
• Jimmy's Restaurant and Lounge, North Webster, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permits.
ABC members present Thursday included chairman Gordon Vanator, excise officer Patty Fleck and Elim Smith. Not present was Kenneth Johnson. The board meets at 1 p.m. in the Kosciusko County Courthouse, Warsaw, on the first Thursday of every month. [[In-content Ad]]