TIFTON — The Tifton City Council denied the application of a local businessman for a malt beverage license to operate at the former location of “What’s Next??? Billiards” Monday during regular session and approved the request of another for the American Legion Post #559.

Jatin and Jeta Patel asked council members in workshop session last week to consider their application for Jeet-Jiten, Inc., operating as Volume Billiard & Restaurant at 510 S. Tift Ave., for a license for on-site consumption of malt beverages. The location of their business would be at the former location of “What’s Next??? Billiards.”

The city suspended the license of “What’s Next??? Billiards” club owner Veoliver Curry in July after hearing testimony that alcoholic beverages were sold and adult entertainment was offered in the establishment. The council tabled the Patels’ request at its regular October meeting for further study.

Last week, city attorney Greg Sowell told council members that they should consider not whether the Patels are qualified to receive an alcoholic beverage license for the business but that the location of the Patels’ business was where an alcoholic beverage license had been issued but revoked.

Tifton Police Chief Jim Smith recommended last week that the city council deny the application based on “problems encountered during the past two years” with Curry’s business. Smith said his recommendation stemmed from the amount of calls made to the Tifton Police Department relating to the business, excessive noise complaints and parking problems.  Jatin Patel told council members that he doesn’t plan to bring in big bands or deejays with large sound systems to entertain at his business and that he plans to have eight pool tables in the building. Patel said he owns several convenience stores and other businesses in the city.

Monday, Sowell said that he had recalled Patel making a comment in workshop last week that he was involved with Curry in the purchase of alcohol. He said Patel said that he “wasn’t invested with Mr. Curry” but that he had purchased beer for Curry before to save him money. Sowell said that those comments caused him to check with the Georgia Department of Revenue for regulations that would conclude whether the act was legal.

According to Georgia code 560-2-2-4, Retail Dealer and Retail Consumption Dealer Purchase from Licensed Wholesaler, Penalty for Violation, “ ...and all sales by wholesalers to licensed retail dealers or retail consumption dealers shall be bonafide sales transactions from the wholesaler to the licensed retail dealer or retail consumption dealer. The making of any forbidden arrangements shall be cause for revocation of the licenses of all licensed wholesalers and retail dealers or retail consumption dealers involved.”

Sowell told council members he was not making a recommendation that they approve or deny Patel’s application but wanted to give them the information. The board voted unanimously to deny Patel’s application.

In the case of the alcoholic beverage license request for the American Legion Post #559, the license of the former manager was surrendered. Vanzell Lawson Jr., the current manager, had asked that council members consider his application for the establishment. Members of the city’s staff had recommended that Lawson’s request be granted with certain conditions. The Legion agree to add several stipulations to its by-laws, including limiting the number of guests per member to three and specifying that members must be present in order for guests to be admitted.

Also, the Legion agreed to provide a training manual to the Legion’s staff members that outlines rules and regulations related to the selling of alcoholic beverages and to provide the city with a list of the staff members who have completed the training. The Legion was to provide a copy of the amended by-laws to the council prior to Monday’s meeting.

Council voted unanimously Monday night to approve Lawson’s request. City Manager Mike Vollmer complimented Lawson and other members present for working with the city on the issues with the establishment. Vice Mayor Joe Lewis commended Lawson for “bringing it into order.”

To contact senior reporter Angie Thompson, call 382-4321.