Wednesday, June 11, 2003
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Wednesday, June 11, 2003 |
Store's alcohol license suspended after payment delayed two monthsBy JOHN
MUNFORD
For waiting over two months to pay a fine for selling alcohol to a minor, a local convenience store has had its alcohol sales license suspended for 30 days. The Fayetteville City Council took the action against the Pit Stop at 630 North Glynn St. at its Thursday night meeting. Operator Chanmeet Saluja had asked for leniency, saying he never received the three letters sent to him by the city to remind him of the fine. City Clerk Judy Stephens said three certified letters were mailed to the business reminding Saluja of the fine. Saluja examined the letters and confirmed they were signed for by his employees. City Manager Joe Morton said Saluja paid the fine a few days before but he still recommended the 30-day suspension of the license. "I never had a bad intention like I was not going to pay," Saluja said, adding that he was under the impression he could pay the fine when he paid for the annual renewal of the license. The suspension began at the open of business Friday morning. Several council members became upset after learning that one of the certified letters was signed for by Stanley Rodriguez, the person who was caught selling alcohol to a minor. When council handed down the fine March 21, Saluja told him Rodriguez would no longer work at the store. Saluja said Rodriguez had an alcohol sales permit, which he didn't have before when the violation was discovered. But it was later determined that Rodriguez was issued a permit in error because his conviction for selling alcohol to a minor did not come up on his background check, Morton told The Citizen Monday.
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