A New Jersey bar has found itself at the center of a political storm after encouraging its young patrons to register to vote. The Marlin Restaurant and Bar on Long Beach Island has been refused renewal of its liquor license after local officials said the number of people lining up to get into the venue had gotten “out of control.” Bar owner Michael Battista furiously insisted that the license refusal was politically motivated and that customers at his popular “teen night” had a constitutional right to assemble and speak freely.
Teen Parties
The Marlin Bar has been hosting weekly events for teenagers since the 1980s, but local police say behavior has deteriorated. The kids lining up outside often get into fights and spats, sometimes leading to injury and property damage.
Beach Haven Police Chief James Markoski told local government officials that his department does not have the resources to continue policing the crowds. He added that the assembled teenagers “think it’s a joke” when things get out of hand. “I’m not against teen night; it had its place; it’s just right now it’s out of control,” he said.
Political History
Despite Chief Markoski’s claim, Mr. Battista insists that his license was yanked because of his opposition to a local councillor, Colleen Lambert. Battista is a former town councillor who voted against Lambert becoming Mayor last year. Ms. Lambert held the deciding vote when the council discussed shutting down the teen event.
The bar owner has, therefore, decided to file a lawsuit against the council and argues that it deliberately timed the closure at the start of the summer to cause his business as much harm as possible. Arnold Lakind, Mr. Battista’s attorney, said the council’s decision breached an earlier agreement from 1997 in which local authorities agreed to send a written notice to his client before taking any action against his bar or the infamous teen events.
In her defense, Ms. Lambert said she had always had concerns about the teen nights. She said she gave the events her blessing, but only for as long as the police did not complain.
