La Plata, MD – A language barrier is no excuse for selling alcohol to minors.
That message was fairly clear from the Charles County Board of License Commissioners (Liquor Board) Thursday, Nov. 10 in La Plata.
Neither Cheong Chiu Cheng, license holder for the Golden Star Chinese Restaurant in Bryans Road, or the East Indian clerk who sold an underage cadet alcohol at My Wayside Store in Newburg spoke very good English.
Both establishments got popped with substantial fines.
In the case of Golden Star, it wasn’t only the owner but the server who spoke limited English.
While Liquor Board members were patient as the transgressors spoke through an interpreter, the board expressed more concern about the lack of oversight and the fact that none of the servers were TAM (Techniques of Alcohol Management) certified.
The same proved true for My Wayside Store in Newburg when the clerk, who had only worked at the establishment three months, sold alcohol to an underage cadet with Alcohol Enforcement Friday, Aug 5.
Master Cpl. Judith Thompson said difficulty in communication quickly became apparent.
“He indicated he could not understand English,” Thompson told the board.
It was ascertained through an interpreter that the clerk had no alcohol training, she pointed out.
“The clerk gave very confusing answers as to why he didn’t check an ID,” she said.
The owner, Amit N. Patel, was not present for the hearing.
The manager told the board he works at the establishment four days a week but his clerk was the only one at the store when the compliance check occurred.
“He made a mistake,” the manager said.
“You’re there by yourself and you don’t speak English,” Liquor board Member Steve Lowe asked the clerk.
“I didn’t have a problem,” the clerk said through an interpreter.
“You sold to someone underage, that is a problem,” Chairman Pamela Smith said.
Another factor disconcerting to board members was the disclosure that My Wayside Store license holder Mae C. Wade had never met the establishment’s manager, although her name was on the license.
“Your name was on this license and you weren’t even aware of it [the violation],” Member Thomasina Coates said.
“You need to start being more involved,” Smith told Wade. “You need to be aware that you’re putting your name on the line. You never met him [the manager] but you’re on the license. They have at least two other violations. You need to know who you’re working with.
“I don’t like the fact that you can just use your name and sit on the sideline,” she added. “I appreciate the fact that you showed up and the other licensee did not, but nobody is paying attention. Nobody is training anyone. This is ridiculous. Your name is on this. Get involved or don’t do it.”
Member Guy Black said he felt the board needed to send a strong message, suggesting a $2,500 fine, three days of closure, with two days held in abeyance for three years and a $100 fine for the server.
“I don’t see where responsibility is being taken by management or the licensee,” Black said. “It appears they’ve gotten away for some time just being lucky.”
Smith told Wade and the manager that since My Wayside Store also sells groceries, the closure would only apply to the sale of alcohol.
“We wouldn’t be shutting your doors completely,” she explained.
As for the Golden Star in Bryans Road, they fared a little better, but not by much.
“The fact that no one there is TAM certifies troubles me,” Board Member Steve Lowe said. “That’s a problem to me, because that goes back to management. I’m inclined to go with two days closure. I think that is in order, just because of the fact we can’t take this lightly.
“They need to get someone who understands what’s going on over there,” he stressed.
“I agree,” Coates added. “A $1,500 fine and two days closure is a hard lesson, with one day held in abeyance and a $50 fine for the server. I think the server doesn’t understand what she did.”
Cheng was told to turn in his license Monday, Nov. 14 and expecte to pay the penalty when he picks it back up Wednesday, Nov. 16. He was also told to get his people TAM certified so that they avoid problems in the future.
“Make sure they have someone there who speaks good English so they can understand what their responsibilities are,” Thompson warned.
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com