The Union City Board of Commissioners met Tuesday night and heard two cases regarding liquor licenses. Besides introducing and passing city ordinances, the board takes time at the end of each meeting to hear evidence against local liquor licensing establishments.
Cheval’s Restaurant of West Street in Union City was brought before the board to answer to charges that they had illegally operated as a nightclub rather than a restaurant on certain occasions. It was argued by the board that this was in direct violation of their Certificate of Occupancy (CO). The owner of the establishment, Wilfredo Perez, of the Bronx claimed that he had rented out his establishment to a third party (whom he refused to identify) and that person held parties that included live bands and the charging of a “door cover” which put the establishment in direct violation of their CO.
Two Union City police detectives were brought forward to testify as to what they saw going on at the location.
According to Detective Patricia Sanzari, “We received information that there would be a band and a cover charge. We sent in an undercover officer. He came out and stated that there was a band but he was not charged a cover.” Sanzari continued, “There were two bands fully set up. Drums, guitars, amps, those types of instruments. At the time, no patrons were there, only band members.”
The undercover officer who entered the premises, Walter Lorencio, stated, “I went in and was told that I would have to pay a cover charge to enter the back room. I went in to the back room, but no one was there to collect any money. I came back out and asked who would collect the money. At this point, I was told that I wouldn’t have to pay a cover.” Lorencio added that he observed a band setting up and “they were clearing tables from the area where there wasn’t a stage.”
The owner, Perez, pleaded ignorance of local laws. When fliers promoting dances at his establishment were presented, he claimed to have no idea as to where they came from.
Mayor Brian Stack questioned Perez, “You really expect us to believe that with all these fliers, you didn’t know about these nightclub parties? I find that hard to believe.”
Perez continued to plead ignorance to the goings-on at his establishment. The mayor moved for a 30-day suspension of the establishment’s liquor license. This does not close the business, according to the mayor; it only bars them from selling alcohol. This motion was passed by the board.
The last issue on the night’s agenda had perhaps the most meaning as it has to do with mayor Stack’s continuing battle to improve the quality of life in Union City.
Power Liquors, which has two locations in town: 12th and Bergenline Avenue and 10th and Bergenline Avenue, was cited for allegedly selling alcohol to minors on two different occasions. Union City police officer Rich Berez testified that on Nov. 16, 2002, he was assigned to an unmarked vehicle to do surveillance on the location after the police received a tip that alcohol was being sold to minors. Said Berez, “I observed two females exit a double-parked vehicle and go into the store, and they came out with a bag. They were stopped and questioned and it was found that they had [ allegedly ] been sold alcohol. They were under age and stated that they weren’t even challenged or asked to show I.D.”
Officer Berez went on to testify that on Dec. 5, 2002, he was again doing surveillance, but this time at the 10th and Bergenline location. He testified that two individuals “looking back and forth” went into the store and came out with a bag. According to Berez, when the two men noticed the unmarked car, they “went across the street and into a restaurant, where they stashed the bottles in their coats. They came back out and were questioned by the police. It was found that they [ allegedly ] were sold vodka. Again, they stated that they were not challenged for I.D.” Officer Berez then questioned the proprietor and issued a summons for sale of alcohol to a minor.
Representatives from Power Liquors were not present at this meeting. According to Stack, “They have done this before and I find it to be a show of disrespect to the board and to the city of Union City.”
The mayor moved to levy a 45-day liquor license suspension for each location. This effectively closes the establishment pending an appeal with the state Alcoholic Beverage Control commission (ABC).
Borrowing to pay pensions
With the recent retirement of a slew of firefighters in Union City, paying them their retirement pensions is an issue. In an attempt to alleviate the financial impact of this, the city moved on Tuesday to buy ‘refunding bonds’ to the tune of $15,735,000. Minneapolis- based Windsor Financial is the underwriter of the bonds, and according to representative Mike Handley, “will save the city money. The city will save almost $9 million over the life of the loan.”