After some pointed debate, the Morristown council tonight approved a settlement with the Dark Horse Lounge that will result in a five-day liquor license suspension around Labor Day, with the threat of another 10 days if any new violations occur.
The bar was charged with a series of liquor license violations in 2008 and 2009. The owners have agreed to plead guilty to allowing unlawful drinking and conducting an unauthorized “all you can drink” raffle.
Tonight’s 3-2 council vote was identical to the July 28 vote when the settlement was introduced.
“It was troubling to me then, and it’s even more troubling to me now,” said Councilwoman Alison Deeb, who voted no both times, along with Raline Smith-Reid.
Councilman Kevin Gsell recused himself (his brother is a bar owner with ties to the Dark Horse family) and Councilwoman Michelle Harris-King could not vote because she missed the July vote.
Anthony Cattano Jr., the council president, and James Smith voted for the settlement with Rebecca Feldman.
Alison, the council’s lone Republican, cited a Daily Record article that contended the Dark Horse had planned to close over Labor Day anyway. She wanted suspensions to coincide with dates of alleged infractions, from December through February.
Rebecca Feldman, who, as the council’s sole Independent, cast the swing vote again, had pushed for Labor Day as an appropriately busy time for a suspension.
She took exception to Alison’s comments, reminding Alison that she had voted against a 30-day suspension proposed last year.
Rebecca has characterized opposition as GOP posturing for next year’s election.
Raline, a Democrat, said she was concerned the vote could “come back to haunt us” because of Mayor Tim Dougherty’s “connections with that establishment.”
The Mayor celebrated his election victory last year at Sona Thirteen, a bar owned by the same family that owns the Dark Horse. One of those family members, William Walsh, donated $500 to the Mayor’s campaign.
