The much-discussed ordinance violation case against the Gap Tap appears to have fizzled like a head on a beer left too long on the bar. The Cumberland Gap Beer Board meeting, reconvened from last month, netted little more than a slow death of the case for a lack of a second to alderperson Susan Bain’s motion to dismiss the matter.
Town attorney James Estep III laid out options the board could take to dispense with the case. Estep said the board could suspend or revoke Gap Tap owner Chris Anderson’s beer permit or fine him for the violations. Or, the board could find no cause and dismiss the case, he said.
Those alleged violations, documented in official complaints by neighbors of the establishment, include serving after closing time, serving beer to underage drinkers, noise levels, public urination and littering along the roadway leading from the bar.
Apparently, the continued hearing last month did little to alleviate the mischief making. Neighbors testified during last week’s meeting that they had witnessed after-hours alcohol serving and consumption during the intervening month.
Even the eyewitness account from alderman John Ravnum to an alleged physical altercation just outside the bar did little to convince the board to take action.
The town is responsible for any violations that occur once the perpetrator steps off the premises of any business, according to Estep.
The recent hiring of a part-time police officer netted little, however, in this instance. Apparently no police report was filed for the fight that wound up on a neighbor’s property.
Estep said it was the neighbor’s responsibility to file a police complaint.
It soon became evident the meticulously documented complaints filed by a half-dozen residents would likely come to naught.
Brandy Sweat, who is one of the complaining neighbors, became emotional. She asked why there have been no citations written by the town.
Sweat said she and others had been told to “document everything” for their official written complaints against the Gap Tap when it should have been the town’s responsibility to cite violators.
“I am upset I got Chris (Anderson) in a lot of trouble,” said Sweat.
There appeared to be no ready answer to her question.
For more on this story, pick up the next issue of the Claiborne Progress.
Reach Jan Runions at 423-254-5588 or on Twitter @scribeCP.