12.15.08
Council Eyes Action Against Bars, Carryouts
10-TV News Source
After sifting through complaints from neighbors and business owners for months, city council members were scheduled to discuss potential action against nearly 20 establishments with histories of run-ins with police.

Although city council cannot take liquor licenses away, members can place owners under scrutiny, 10TV's Cara Connelly reported.

Council members said they were considering action against the 17 establishments because of the number of complaints they have received.

"A lot of folks feel like there is an awful lot of drug activity, prostitution," said Councilman Andrew Ginther. "A lot of bad things happen either in these locations or on the premises right around there."

Among the establishments on the list was Tu Casa Restaurante, located on West Broad Street. The business was the scene of an August double shooting that left a man dead, Connelly reported.

Another on the list was the Marathon Gas Station, located at 1690 S. High Street. According to council, 67 police runs have been dispatched to the location in the past year. Three underage sales were also recorded, Connelly reported.

Maurice Carter, who works at a nearby business, defended the station's owner.

"He helps out a lot in the neighborhood and that will be a shame for them to take that away from him," Carter said.

Carter denied claims that the Marathon station attracted crime. Instead, Carter said the station operated in a high crime area that was in need of small businesses.

"That's a real stable of this south side," Carter said. "It's just a bad idea for city council."

Some of the establishment owners planned to attend council's session on Monday night, Connelly reported.

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