Questions abound about the Bar Task Force and beyond

One of the more controversial arms of Norfolk government has been the Bar Task Force, which has been involved in the high profile closings of numerous restaurants and nightclubs in recent years. We often hear a lot about the Task Force in the news, yet real information about the Gestapo-like group is hard to come by.

Take a gander at Norfolk.gov. Do a search for “Bar Task Force” and you will come back with one result under the Fire Marshall’s Office page mentioning that they are a part of the Task Force and that the Task Force “conducts unannounced sweeps of local bars and clubs to insure that they are not overcrowded, and to enforce ABC violation, as well as gross fire code violations.  This has been a very effective measure in ensuring the safety of our citizens and visitors while they are enjoying our City.”

Moreover, simply Google “Bar Task Force” Norfolk and you’ll find nothing but newspaper stories and television reports about the Task Force conducting sweeps and shutting establishments down. We know that Deputy City Attorney Cynthia Hall runs the Task Force and they conduct these sweeps, essentially putting the facilities they sweep out of business, but that’s really where the information ends.

In the case of two bars at the much maligned Waterside, Mayor Fraim said violations at the two shut-down establishments “were simply too frequent.” That explanation would sit fine with us if there were public records indicating that their frequency at Waterside was, in fact, greater than other facilities. Also, how many sweeps were done at bars that were shut down versus other bars? If certain bars had more sweeps, why? If the Bar Task Force is run, even if in part, by taxpayer dollars, shouldn’t records of all their raids be public information. Has any member of the media taken the time to examine all the sweeps done by the Task Force to see if everyone is operating on a level playing field?

Both the aforementioned Waterside establishments and Posh Dolce on Granby Street were scrutinized heavily because of shootings that happened outside their establishments. In the case of Posh Dolce, the shooting actually occurred at a parking garage several blocks away.  However, a shooting happened INSIDE the Granby Theater in March of 2007 and they're still in business today. Yes, the establishment faced punishment, but it was allowed to reopen FOUR MONTHS LATER. Does this have anything to do with the fact that the Granby is owned by Barry Wright, who’s Wright Company is a prominent real estate developer in the city?

Why are some bars shut down during a sweep or not granted special exemptions to serve alcohol, but others are, even when the bar’s owner publicly decries the Bar Task Force, as Tommy Arney did last year regarding his new venture, Bootleggers. Arney, who has had other run-ins with the city of Norfolk, not only had his special exemption approved, but earlier last year when he installed a sign illegally at Bootleggers it was glossed over by the city. Now, we don’t know Mr. Arney, and he’s probably a great guy, this isn’t meant to ridicule him or his businesses and we applaud him for standing up to the city, but Bootleggers is in the same space that once occupied Posh Dolce, which at least as of 2008 was also owned or managed by Mr. Wright. We don’t know for certain if the building is still owned by Wright (city records indicate it is owned by Two Fifty-Five Granby, LLC; The Granby Theater is listed as being owned by Four Twenty-One Granby, LLC, for the record), but if so, did that have a factor in Council’s decision?

Then there is also the fact that Arney’s attorney is Peter Decker III. Yes, Decker is a very prominent attorney in Norfolk, and his father is somewhat of a legend around these parts, but isn’t it somewhat odd that Decker goes out of his way to praise Task Force commander Cynthia Hall ("She's one of the most hard working, ethical public servants the city has.")? Not to mention the fact that he is also a heavy contributor to Vice Mayor Anthony Burfoot according to VPAP ($3,000 in 2010 and that’s just from Decker personally, his law firm Decker Cardon Thomas Weintraub Coureas & Huff contributed $5,000 to Burfoot as well.

Sound familiar?

Then there is the fact that Burfoot and Mayor Fraim frequent d’egg Diner (Exhibit A and Exhibit B), which makes a fine breakfast, but it is also owned by Decker’s brother, Phillip. Maybe it’s all coincidence though, right?

Burfoot has long been the most vocal council member for increased oversight of downtown restaurants and clubs and he is a big advocate of the Bar Task Force. Let’s not forget that Mr. Burfoot’s own camp has a somewhat shady connection to nightclubs in Norfolk as Curtis Anderson, who was a paid coordinator for Mr. Burfoot’s campaign for re-election. Mr. Anderson is also part owner of The Palace on Plume. I wonder, has the Palace on Plume ever been searched by the Task Force?

In addition to owning The Place on Plume, Mr. Anderson was appointed to the board of the flat broke Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority in 2009 at the suggestion of Mr. Burfoot. Anderson was later removed from that position after he was arrested for failing to appear before a Virginia Beach judge in a tax case, of which he was later convicted. Last year Mr. Burfoot declined to comment on the situation involving Mr. Anderson. Our question is, shouldn’t Mr. Burfoot, or any member of council involved in a similar situation, feel he owes an explanation to his constituents? This whole situation is fishier than Burfoot double-dipping as assistant city treasurer.

There may not be an exact fire you can point to declaring that there is something fishy going on, but there sure is a whole lot of smoke.