Bar Opts To Pay Fine Instead Of Closing

Thu., June 1, 2000

By Trinity Hartman trinityh@spokesman.com

A Spokane Valley bar can opt to pay fines rather than temporarily close, a Superior Court judge has ruled.

Deborah Smith, owner of Rockin’ Goodtymes, had appealed a state ruling ordering Goodtymes to close for seven days.

The state Liquor Control Board alleged that Goodtymes had over-served a customer in September of 1998.

Superior Court Judge Kathleen O’Connor ruled on Friday that the popular Valley drinking spot has the option of either paying a $2,500 fine or closing for five days.

Smith said she’ll pay the fine.

“They were really trying hard to get me closed down,” Smith said.

In the past she has clashed with the Liquor Control Board and Washington State Patrol. She said both agencies unfairly targeted Goodtymes because of its popularity.

Goodtymes topped a WSP list in 1999 for drunk driving arrests in Spokane County. There were 40 intoxicated drivers arrested last year who said they had been drinking at Goodtymes.

Goodtymes also was charged with serving alcohol to a minor in August of 1998. The Liquor Control Board had called for a five-day suspension or a fine of $500 per day, which O’Connor upheld.

The state Liquor Control Board argued for a seven-day suspension because the second violations occurred less than two months after the first, said Greg Brunson, who argued the case for the state Attorney General’s office.

“These are very serious public safety violations,” Brunson said.

Smith said she has no initial plans to appeal the decision, but has not yet talked to her lawyer, Christopher Grimes.

Each side has until July 17 to appeal O’Connor’s ruling.

Brunson said he does not know whether the Liquor Control Board will choose to appeal.

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