Published: September 26, 2008 10:40 am      

Clinton bar could lose license

CLINTON — A complaint filed Tuesday with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division alleges a Clinton bar of violating of the state's anti-smoking law.

The attorney general's office is seeking the suspension or revocation of the liquor license of Manning's Whistle Stop bar. The complaint names Loren Manning and Shortcakes, Inc., as owners, and alleges that the state Department of Public Health received 22 public complaints from July 5 to Aug. 20.

The Iowa Department of Health issued three notices of potential violation to Manning's Whistle Stop to inform the owner, Loren Manning, of the violations and educate him on Iowa's Smokefree Air Act, which bans smoking inside bars and restaurants.

In the first notice to Manning on July 21, the department said a patron reportedly was seen smoking inside the bar, ashtrays were present and the required signs were not posted. A second notice dated Aug. 1 detailed that a customer reportedly observed an employee smoking and patrons smoking inside the bar, ashtrays still were present and the signs had not been posted. In the third notice on Sept. 11, officials said nothing had changed.

The attorney general's office also contends Clinton police officers on two occasions observed individuals openly smoking inside the premises and required signage either not posted or improperly posted.

Attempts to contact Manning for comment were unsuccessful.

Manning’s Whistle Stop is the third Iowa tavern to have charges levied against it by the Iowa Attorney General’s Office. State officials have filed similar complaints alleging violation of Iowa's Smoke-free Air Act against Otis Campbell's Bar and Grill in West Burlington and Fro's in Wilton.

According to officials with the Iowa Department of Public Health, Division of Tobacco Prevention and Control, a total of 11 businesses in Clinton County have received notices of potential violations, compared to 213 businesses statewide. Two Clinton businesses, Manning’s and Grafitti Bar and Grill, have received a second notice of violation, with Manning’s the only business to have received a third notice of violation. Aaron Swanson, of the TPC Division, said three site visits by law enforcement have been held in Clinton County, compared to 14 site visits held throughout the state. Swanson said a total of 6,000 contacts to the IDPH have been made since July 1, with approximately 80 percent of the callers requesting information rather than registering a complaint.