La Habra : Bar Wins Renewal of Permit From City

The City Council last week renewed the entertainment permit of a bar that has been the scene of several fights among patrons, drawing the attention of police.

Although officers were called to O’Leary’s Pub five times during June and July, Police Chief Steven Staveley recommended that the bar’s permit to operate a juke box, pool table and dart games be renewed.

City officials noted that the bar’s police calls have decreased dramatically in the last two months and praised owner Ron Slutsky for that.

“You have impressed our chief of police with the way you have been managing your business,” Councilman David M. Cheverton told Slutsky at the City Council meeting Thursday.

During his appearance before the council, Slutsky asked the board to grant him a live-entertainment permit so he could hire bands to play dance music. The council declined to consider the request, saying Slutsky had not filed a formal application. The application would have indicated the hours and type of music to be played.

In discussing the decrease in problems at the bar, Slutsky said he has managed to reduce the number of police calls by kicking out “problem patrons” and not allowing them to return. He said he caught people using and selling drugs and told them they were not be welcome at his bar.

“I’m trying to minimize problems . . . but I’m limited,” Slutsky said. “We’re just human and not everyone acts perfectly all of the time.”

City officials said Slutsky’s permit will be up for review in six months and that he may apply for a live-entertainment permit at any time.

“We recognize (that Slutsky) is working to make things better and we want to help him,” Mayor William D. Mahoney said Tuesday. “But that’s no indication as to whether we will or will not allow live entertainment.”