A local bar faces losing its alcohol license after the Kosciusko County Alcoholic Beverage Commission voted Thursday to deny renewal of the license.
The ABC voted unanimously to deny the renewal of the license for Barbee Landing after owner Phillip Fozo failed to show up for two renewal hearings.
ABC President Gordon Vanator said, normally, establishment owners are not required to come to license renewal hearings unless the establishment has been cited for a violation by the Indiana Excise Police.
Excise officer April Tackett said Barbee Landing Inc. was cited in February for possession of gambling devices and promoting professional gambling. Tackett said she and several other excise officers inspected Barbee Landing and found evidence of paper gambling.
ABC member Elim Smith said when Fozo failed to attend a May 3 renewal hearing, the board decided to wait another month before voting on the renewal request.
Reached by telephone Thursday, Fozo said he was out of the state and has been caring for his ailing parents when he missed the hearings. "I certainly wasn't trying to be defiant," he said.
The Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission will review the local board's decision and decide whether or not to support it. If the state board supports the local ABC's denial, Barbee Landing could lose its license to sell alcohol.
Fozo said he's willing to work with state officials to make sure that doesn't happen. "I will write them a letter and see what we can do down in Indianapolis," Fozo said. "We've been a part of the community for quite some time and look forward to being in the community for quite some time to come."
ABC board members are Kenneth Johnson, Vanator, Smith and Tackett.
