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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19900508SCMeeting1 1 1 Tybee Island, Georgia May 8, 1990 A special meeting of council was called to discuss the Turntable Alcohol Beverage License. Mayor Hosti called the meeting to order and then turned the meeting over to Police Commissioner Jimmy Brown. Councilmen present were Pat Locklear, Jack Youmans, Bill Walsh, Jimmy Brown and Jeff Dukes. Paul Jackson was absent. City Attorney Thomas Mahoney sent Thomas Mahoney III to represent the city. Jimmy Brown stated that the city grants alcoholic beverage licenses to businesses under our local ordinances. This hearing tonight is to hear evidence on the Turntable selling beer to underage persons. Councilman Brown asked Cpl. Brian Mundy to give his evidence. Cpl. Mundy stated that he saw Ronnie Tatum Jr. on April 8, 1990 at 5:46 P.M. on 16th Street and Butler Avenue. Mr. Tatum was under the influence of alcohol. Cpl. Mundy arrested Mr. Tatum. While talking to Mr. Tatum he related to Cpl. Mundy that he had purchased the beer at the Turntable Bar from Mr. John Morgan Sr. Councilman Locklear questioned who is Mr. Morgan. Cpl. Mundy said he works at the business. Mr. Eubanks asked if the defendant was present. Mr. Aro Hovsepian stated that he has been in business for the past 44 years at the Turntable and that in that time the police have only had to come to the bar on 4 occasions. Mr. Hovsepian said he knows that there was a slip up with his bartender selling the beer to the boy, but that Mr. Morgan has a drinking problem and he believes that Mr. Morgan has learned a good lesson concerning selling beer to minors. The next evidence came from Officer Neil Overstreet. On April 26, 1990 he was called to the residence of Mr. Ronnie Tatum Sr. on a complaint that Ronnie Jr. was under the influence. Officer Overstreet took the cooler of beer to the Police Station where he destroyed the beer. The cooler is still at the police station. Councilman Brown then asked the boys involved to give their statements. Ronnie Tatum, age 17 stated that he has purchased beer form the Turntable from Mr. John Morgan Sr. Mr. Morgan was sitting in a chair at the business when Mr. Tatum went in and asked for a case of beer. Mr. Morgan told him not to say anything about him selling the beer to him. C.J. Hosti also 17 years old said he has bought beer twice from Mr. Morgan, the third time he went he was asked for I.D., and he couldn't buy the beer that time. He also stated that he has only bought beer from the Turntable. Chris Lawson, 18 years old, said he has bought beer 2 or 3 times from Mr. Morgan at the Turntable. He stated that he has never seen Mr. Hovsepian before tonight. The price for the beer purchased was $5.00 a six pack. 1 1 1 May 8, 1990. Page 2 Mr. Eubanks asked Chris Lawson if he has ever tried to buy beer from any other business on the island. Mr. Lawson said no. Chief McCutchen said that for councils information that prior to this incident taking place that he had a call from the Internal Revenue Dept. concerning the Turntable Bar. They told the chief that they were considering a sting operation. Councilman Dukes asked whether Mr. Morgan was still the bartender. Mr. Hovsepian answered yes. Mr. Eubanks said that he has known Mr. Hovsepian since 1961 and that he is a good man and with a small business that he has he can not afford a professional bartender. Councilman Locklear questioned about police calls to the Turntable. Chief McCutchen said that there has not been any and he feels sure that whatever is going on now has alot to to with Mr. Morgan. The city usedto issue bar cards but he was told by Councilman Jackson to stop that practice. Mr. Ronnie Tatum Sr. said he appreciates what Councilman Brown, Chief McCutchen and his officers have done for him. Ronnie Jr. was tested positive last week for alcohol and drugs and is now in a rehab program. He stated that his son was definitely wrong. He said that Mr. Hovsepian is a fine upstanding man. Councilman Brown asked Mr. Hovsepian what action he was going to take about Mr. Morgan. Mr. Hovsepian said that he was 77 years old and needed someone to help him run the business and he can't throw Mr. Morgan out. Councilman Youmans asked Mr. Hovsepian if keeping Mr. Morgan means more to him than keeping his business license. Mr. Hovsepian answered that he thinks Mr. Morgan has learned his lesson. Councilman Dukes said that he knows Mr. Hovsepian by reputation and holdShim in great respect. Councilman Walsh made a motion to put the Turntable on probation for the rest of 1990 and that 1 violation of selling alcohol to a minor would be cause for closing the business and revoking the Turntable business license. Jack Youmans seconded. The Mayor called for a vote of council and the vote was unanimous.