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By JOE HEALEY [email protected]
Friday, July 14, 2000     Page: 7A

KINGSTON – For the second time in two weeks, Club Amnesia was raided by
police and they left without issuing citations.
   
About five Kingston police and state police troopers raided the club
shortly after it opened at 9 p.m. Thursday. They could not be reached for
comment. Club security manager Ed Ruddy said police came in, checked patrons’
identification cards with ages on them, and briefly inspected the inside of
the bar.
    Club owners have complained that police are harassing their establishment,
and Ruddy called Thursday’s raid a continuation of that.
   
The often-criticized nightspot has experienced brushes with the law since
it opened in fall 1995, but club management said added security has prevented
many of the problems, such as fights and underage drinking in the parking lot.
On June 29, police conducted an extensive raid of the bar.
   
The dance club, which caters to legal drinkers and the under-21 crowd, is
open only 10 hours a week – five on Thursday and five on Saturday. Minors are
separated from the bar by a large fence. Patrons can mingle in the dance area,
but drinks are not allowed out of the bar area.
   
In August, the state Liquor Control Board unanimously decided not to renew
the club’s license. The board listed four citations and more than 40 police
responses in the last several years as reasons for its decision. Since then,
the club has operated under a temporary license pending the outcome of its
appeal.
   
Joe Healey, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7225.