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By BILL PEACE; Times Leader Staff Writer
Monday, November 13, 1995 Page: 2A
WILKES-BARRE — State police cited the 20-year-old daughter of outgoing
Luzerne County Commissioner Jim Phillips for underage drinking at a downtown
bar over the weekend.
Katharyn Anne Phillips was the only patron cited during the inspection
shortly before 10 p.m. Friday at Dr. Feel Goode’s, 760 North Washington St.,
said George Venesky, supervisor of the Wilkes-Barre office of the state police
Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement.
Phillips, a student at Penn State University’s main campus in State
College, could not be reached for comment Sunday. Phillips is a 1993 graduate
of Wyoming Valley West High School.
“I have no comment,” said Jim Phillips, when contacted by telephone at his
home Sunday afternoon. “I just have no comment. That’s all,” he said before
hanging up the phone.
The citation carries a fine of up to $300. Police plan to file the citation
this week with District Justice Martin Kane, Wilkes-Barre, who will then
decide on a court date.
The bar’s owner, Don Temple, said Friday’s occurrence was only the second
time in the seven years he has owned the bar that state police have issued
citations. The first citation was issued after a bartender sold a six-pack of
beer after the bar closed at 2:30 a.m. It is against state law to sell alcohol
after drinking establishments close.
“I don’t practice letting underagers into my bar. I don’t need the business
that bad,” Temple said. “If they slide by, that happens. I’m human, I make
mistakes.”
The bar’s licensee, Wil-Sal-Mac Inc., received a citation for sales to a
minor. Police plan to issue another citation to the bar for permitting a minor
to frequent a licensed establishment, Venesky said.
The later citation came after state police learned through their
investigations that Phillips had been served alcohol at the bar on at least
one other occasion, Venesky said.
The citations carry a minimum fine of $1,000 each and possible license
suspension.
Friday’s inspection was prompted by complaints of underage drinking at the
bar, police said.
No other violations were noted at the bar, Venesky said.
Jim Phillips, 62, lost his bid for re-election last week. His fourth-place
finish came behind his Republican running mate, Joseph “Red” Jones, and
Democrats Frank Crossin and Thomas Makowski.