--- Senator Jim Ferlo <ferlo@pasenate.com> wrote:
Date: Fri, 06 Jan 2006 10:04:42 -0500 From: "Senator Jim Ferlo" <ferlo@pasenate.com>
Dear Highland Park Residents:
I am in receipt of letters from residents contending that Sandy's Deli has been closed for a few weeks and that a possible liquor license transfer/ or new management might be taking over their store/beer sales operation. My opposition to neighborhood based liquor licenses, e.g. Sandy's Deli, among others, has been stated over the past fifteen years. This was true during my tenure in City Council where I often appeared before the zoning board and objected to liquor permits for various fraternal club transfers where the property was clearly in the middle of residential communities. Many of these older "fraternal" and vets club licenses turn out to be problem bars and taverns when ownership changes hands. . I believe that liquor licenses should be permitted in traditional commercial and business retail zoned districts. The HPCC never expressed its opposition to some of these liquor permits and I have made it clear to all involved at the block club level that they need to get the City Police involved so that a record of complaints and criminal activity can be established and recorded for the LCB hearing process.
We should check with the police, Councilman Bodack and the problem bar task force to see what record of complaints for Sandy's Deli (or any other establishment) exists and urge the denial of their license (or its transfer to that location) at the LCB board level. It would help if we had a letter of support from the Mellon Street block watch committee (or individual neighbors) (I did not receive a past petition from residents in this regard as it may have been sent to city officials) and the HPCC; among others. I have also at times in the past suggested that the CDC purchase the deli (and other commercial use facilities) in order to close it or eliminate the liquor license.
Regardless, I have no problem or objection to communicating our formal opposition to a continued liquor license at the Sandy's Deli/Mellon Street location(s). I can be an advocate but I do not have the power unilaterally, legally or legislatively to close anyone's establishment; a process is in place which must be followed. Relevant complaints can be filed with:
Pa. State Police, Nuisance Bar Task Force Charles J Rubino, Officer 412-548-2050 crubino@state.pa.us
Steve Sandrovich Pa Liquor Control Board Bureau of Licensing Investigations 412-380-2602
Fran LaQuatra, Detective Office of the District Attorney 412-388-5305
Officer John McBurney, City of Pittsburgh Police 412-478-6039
Lt. William Mathias Narcotics/Vice 412-323-7761
Councilman Leonard Bodack 412-255-2140 lbodack@city.pittsburgh.pa.us
Thank you, Senator Jim Ferlo
Jim Ferlo 3507 Butler Street Pittsburgh, PA 15201 412.621.3006 jferlo@pasenate.com
Shelly Danko+Day <shellydankoday@yahoo.com> 1/2/2006 10:17:20 AM
Dear Highland Park:
You've all heard our pleas for help from here in the "SouthWest Quadrant" aka the 800 and 900 blocks of Mellon, Portland and Negley.
One of our main offenders is (was) Sandy's Deli. A couple years ago, a new owner took over and promised us they would remove the 40 ouncers and blunt wrappers (which they sell, but no tobacco) and that they would add fresh fruit and veggies, fresh baked bread, and imported beers. Needless to say, the 40 ouncers and blunt wrappers are their bread and butter and none of those changes happened.
But we were given a great gift this season. It would seem that there is some problem with the "new" owners and the store has been closed, on an off, for 3 weeks now!!! We hear that the business will soon be going back to the original Sandy (he is a real person...) ownership. WE NEED YOUR HELP TO FINALLY SHUT THIS STORE DOWN!
You can help from your very own computer. Just email/call/write our friendly neighbor and State Senator Jim Ferlo and encourage him to intercept the transfer of the liquor license. His info is below. Time is an important factor, so today would be great!
We appreciate you help at this critical time!
Jim Ferlo 3507 Butler Street Pittsburgh, PA 15201 412.621.3006 ferlo@pasenate.com
Sincerely,
Shelly
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