2008 Woodie Awards
Local bar Mr. Up's cited for serving minors
Josh Carson
Issue date: 3/9/06 Section: News
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Vermont liquor Inspector Michael Davidson confirmed this week that an investigation into underage drinking at local establishments has been launched. Because the investigation is ongoing, David son would not comment on specifics regarding both the impetus for and the method of investigation. He did confirm, however, that he issued a citation to a bartender at Mr. Up's last week for furnishing alcohol to a minor. A citation is an order for a person to appear in court and is issued when an officer believes that someone broke a law.
Middlebury Police Chief Tom Hanley also confirmed that his department is working closely with the liquor investigation team.
The penalty, if convicted of furnishing alcohol to a minor, is up to two years in prison and/or up to a $2,000 fine. While Davidson stated that jail time is rare, he emphasized the seriousness of the offense for both the bartender and the restaurant as any licensed establishment must appear before the Liquor Control Board following such an incident. The Board can issue a range of penalties, from a warning to the revocation of a liquor license.
When reached by phone regarding the accusations, a Mr. Ups employee refused to comment.
According to Christopher Shea '06.5 who was at the bar the night the citation was issued last Wednesday, the liquor investigator arrived at Mr. Ups and began checking IDs of about half the people at the bar. He then escorted a few people out.
One underage student, who wishes to remain anonymous because of the sensitive nature of the issue, reported being issued a summons. The charge was minor in possession of alcohol.
Upon arriving at the bar with three other underage friends, the student stated that each person was carded by the bartender and that each person produced a false identification. The bartender refused to serve one person, but the three others were furnished with alcohol.
"There were a lot of underage kids [at the bar]," said the student. "I knew a lot of them." The student also stated that this was the second time ordering alcohol at Mr. Ups. The first time, a bouncer was checking IDs at the door and let the student and friends in after examining their IDs.
Middlebury Police Chief Tom Hanley also confirmed that his department is working closely with the liquor investigation team.
The penalty, if convicted of furnishing alcohol to a minor, is up to two years in prison and/or up to a $2,000 fine. While Davidson stated that jail time is rare, he emphasized the seriousness of the offense for both the bartender and the restaurant as any licensed establishment must appear before the Liquor Control Board following such an incident. The Board can issue a range of penalties, from a warning to the revocation of a liquor license.
When reached by phone regarding the accusations, a Mr. Ups employee refused to comment.
According to Christopher Shea '06.5 who was at the bar the night the citation was issued last Wednesday, the liquor investigator arrived at Mr. Ups and began checking IDs of about half the people at the bar. He then escorted a few people out.
One underage student, who wishes to remain anonymous because of the sensitive nature of the issue, reported being issued a summons. The charge was minor in possession of alcohol.
Upon arriving at the bar with three other underage friends, the student stated that each person was carded by the bartender and that each person produced a false identification. The bartender refused to serve one person, but the three others were furnished with alcohol.
"There were a lot of underage kids [at the bar]," said the student. "I knew a lot of them." The student also stated that this was the second time ordering alcohol at Mr. Ups. The first time, a bouncer was checking IDs at the door and let the student and friends in after examining their IDs.