ABC Community Advisory Council Meeting Minutes

West Region - Roanoke, Abingdon, Lynchburg, Staunton and Charlottesville

April 24, 2009 Meeting

Members Attending

Patrick Lee Campbell
Virginia ABC, Wholesale Retail Division

Debbie Kavitz
Salem Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce

Bud Chambless
District 25E Lions

June Hosaflook
Commissioner of Revenue, City of Harrisonburg

Chief Joe Gaskins
Roanoke City Police Department

Kelly Doss
Regional Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention

ABC Enforcement Personnel Present

Special Agent in Charge Glen McMurray, Abington
Special Agent in Charge, Chris Goodman, Roanoke
Special Agent in Charge, Roger Stevens Staunton
Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Stephanie Rhodes, Lynchburg

SAC Stevens opened the meeting and welcomed members. Chief Gaskins was thanked for hosting the meeting. Regrets were given to the Council from Director Monahan for not being able to attend.

New Business

The realignment of the Regions was discussed with the members.

Legislation affecting ABC that will become law on July 1, 2009 was reviewed with the Council, as well as the recent Court of Appeals ruling that ABC agents are not covered under the felony assault law.

Discussion of Recent Cases of Interest

Several cases involving licensees who have failed to pay state and local taxes were discussed. Mrs. Hosaflook expressed her appreciation for the assistance her office has received from the Staunton Office regarding joint financial investigations.

Open Discussion

The members questioned how they were to obtain passwords and logins for the Council Discussion Forum. Some members stated that the passwords they received did not work.

Ms. Kavitz inquired as to the purpose of her attending the meeting and what the expectations were for her participation. She was advised of the intended purpose of the council. We expressed needed input from members on how the council should develop and what expectations they have of the coalition. A review of how members were initially selected was also explained. Chief Gaskins again reiterated that he saw potential for the coalition and encouraged the continued development of the council. (Members want to know what they can do to contribute).

The members agreed that Wednesdays would be a better day of the week to meet.

Ms. Kavitz volunteered to host a meeting at the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce office.

Meeting adjourned.