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By TERRIE MORGAN-BESECKER; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Thursday, January 30, 1997 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1A 





PLAINS TWP. -- In what it called a "borderline" decision, the state Liquor
Control Board renewed the liquor license of the Woodlands Inn and Resort
Wednesday, but officials warned they're watching the establishment very
closely. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The decision marks the second time in two years the popular Plains Township
nightclub complex and hotel has been threatened with non-renewal, and the
second time the LCB has backed off the threat. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The resort, owned by S&amp;B Restaurants, Inc., will instead receive a
"strongly worded warning" directing it to address problems with assaults and
fights that have plagued the establishment, said Donna Pinkham, press
secretary for the LCB in Harrisburg. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "This is borderline. It was a very close call," Pinkham said. "Given the
measures they've taken, they're attempting to get their house in order, (the
board) felt they would give them the license this time and keep an eye on
them." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The LCB notified the Woodlands last August that it planned to oppose its
license renewal based on 32 incidents of disturbances which included assaults,
a stabbing, an auto accident and underage drinking. The incidents occurred
from July, 1995 through August, 1996. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Several Plains Township police officers and a victim of one of the
assaults, Edmund Kreiger, testified last November at a hearing called to
review objections to renewal of the liquor license. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Kreiger told of how the side of his face was smashed by someone who punched
him while he was in the Executive Lounge, one of five bars at the resort. He
could not be reached for comment Wednesday regarding the LCB's decision. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Despite the problems, Patrick Melody, the LCB examiner who presided over
the hearing, recommended the license be renewed. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In a 15-page report to the board, Melody said the resort has taken
significant steps to address the problems. The number of security personnel
has been increased, and video cameras and high intensity lighting have been
installed. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Gary Kornfeld, chief executive officer of the Woodlands, testified in
November that the resort serves about 360,000 patrons a year. Given that, he
felt 32 incidents was not a high rate of disturbances. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "It appears the applicant is making some progress to eliminate the problems
at the establishment," Melody wrote. "When the record as a whole is considered
including the number of patrons ... there does not appear to be any
intentional abuse of the licensing privileges." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Plains Township Police Chief Ed Walsh agreed the resort has made progress
in reducing incidents that require police intervention. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Walsh estimated calls to the resort decreased by about 20 percent in the
last three months of 1996, compared to the same time period the year before.
Exact figures on the number of calls were not available Wednesday. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "There's no question about it. They have done something up there to reduce
the requests for service," Walsh said. "I'm satisfied they are making some
effort." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Contacted Wednesday, Kornfeld refused to discuss the licensing controversy
or offer further detail on steps the resort has taken to reduce problems. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I don't know why I have to defend myself, when in reality I've been
acquitted," Kornfeld said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Pinkham said it is not unusual for a licensee to appear on the LCB's
non-renewal list two years in a row. The agency looks at the establishment's
record over several years, so past problems are still considered. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Your history can haunt you for a few years even though you're doing
better," she said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Woodlands was fined a total of $8,250 for three liquor law violations
from 1990 to 1994, according to LCB records. There have been no violations
since 1994, however. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Pinkham said that likely played a role in the board's decision to renew the
license. The decision doesn't mean the resort can lighten up on its efforts,
she said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "They're going to be closely watched," she said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Woodlands Toasts Liquor License Renewal The Night Spot Will Receive A Warning From The State To Address The Problem Of Fights And Assaults