Published: April 30, 2008 11:01 pm      

Judge holds court in local tavern

Cambria County Judge Gerard Long inspected a Johnstown bar Wednesday as he prepared to decide whether it should be closed for state Liquor Code violations and incidents there.

With owner Carl Costanzo acting as tour guide, the judge was shown the exterior and inside of Carl’s American House on Railroad Street in the city’s Old Conemaugh Borough section.

Costanzo has operated the bar since 1963 and is asking the county court to reinstate his liquor license. The state Liquor Control Board did not renew the license in January, and Costanzo appealed.

The bar has continued to operate pending the judge’s decision.

Long on Wednesday gave the PLCB 30 days to file a brief on issues in the case, and Johnstown attorney David Raho, who represents Costanzo, an additional 30 days to file an answer.

The PLCB has expressed concern about a shooting that took place at the bar in 2005 and whether the bartender was able to monitor the premises.

The judge was told that a worker now monitors the back room and that a second person will be added to assist in patrolling the premises.

Costanzo also is to check into the costs of having a worker with a scanning wand check patrons for weapons.

The PLCB noted that the tavern is in an area with drug-related activity and where weapons often are found.