Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The Knockers Sports Bar alcohol permit renewal was extended for 30 days by the local alcoholic beverage commission Thursday.
The bar collected three gambling machine violations in January and February. Ordinarily, the board denies a permit renewal after three violations.
Through his lawyer, permit holder Dennis Carroll appealed to board members Ken Johnson and Elim Smith to change the local policy in view of current circumstances.
Following testimony by excise officer April Tackett, Carroll said he has been approached by people who want to buy Knockers. He anticipates closing the sale within two weeks. No formal purchase agreement was available for review. Carroll said he currently is buying the bar on contract.
Carroll's attorney, Mark Webb of Indianapolis, said an unrenewed permit would put a hardship on the transfer of ownership process.
Webb said Carroll understood the local board policy of three gambling violations and non-renewal of permits. Twice in January and once in February "Cherry Master" machines were found on the property.
Carroll paid all related fines and was closed for five days in September. Ten other permit suspension days were deferred.
Excise officer April Tackett remonstrated against the renewal. She said according to Syracuse police department statistics for the last two years, there have been 21 fights, 18 calls about drunk subjects, eight batteries, five people charged with public intoxication after leaving Knockers, two operating a vehicle under the influence arrests stemming from the bar and six battery charges against Knockers employees.
Calls to two other nearby bars during the same period (2005 and 2006) totaled six fights, four calls about drunk subjects and two complaints of loud music.
Tackett said she and two SPD officers entered the bar in February just before midnight. The "bouncer" demanded to see her driver's license after she presented her badge and grabbed her arm when she proceeded into the property.
She said a siren is blared when officers arrive so everyone knows law enforcement is there.
She also claimed Carroll took the disc jockey's microphone and said he donated to Katrina and the Leukemia Society, "So why are the police in my bar? Who else does this piss off?"
Tackett said with 50 to 75 patrons watching them, it was a terrible officer safety issue.
Carroll said he was ready to be done with the bar business.
"I was stupid enough to buy a bar in Syracuse. What I did over four years, I did to survive. I'm positive I've got it sold," he said.
"If you would just bear with me this little bit."
The renewal request will be continued for 30 days. The next ABC meeting is Jan. 4 at 1 p.m. on the third floor of the courthouse.
The board also:
• Approved renewal of the beer, wine and liquor permit for CBJ Pastime Inc, 131 N. First St., Pierceton, doing business as The Pastime. Cindy Himes of Leesburg is president and secretary. There are two gambling violations against this permit.
• Approved a permit transfer of ownership for Hook, Line & Sinker LLC, 104 E. Pickwick Road, Syracuse, doing business as Hammer's Pub & Grub. Patrick Halferty of Albion is president and secretary.
• Approved a new permit for beer, wine and liquor for the Keg Corp., 111 Van Buren St., Leesburg, doing business as The Keg to David Stouder of Syracuse, president and Doug Stump, Milford, secretary.
• Renewed Donald Sparks permit doing business as Sparkies at 1360 W. Center St., Warsaw.
ABC member Gordon Vanator was absent.
