By Jason Freund 13

A local nightclub that has been closed for several weeks is a step closer to reopening under new management.

On Thursday, the Liquor Advisory Board voted unanimously to recommend transfer of the liquor license from Smil’in Jacks Inc., to Mardi Gras Ltd. The recommendation now will be considered by the Carbondale Local Liquor Commission at its Nov. 18 meeting.

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Smil’in Jacks, 760 E. Grand Ave., has been closed since October. Leland Hartsfield, owner of Smil’in Jacks, and Ed Wilmering, owner of the building containing Smil’in Jacks, could not be reached for comment about why the club closed.

If approved by the Liquor Control Commission, Wilmering will hold the liquor license, and representatives from Chadwick’s Bar & Grill, 204 W. College St., will manage the club.

At the meeting, prior to the recommendation, there was a lengthy discussion about the parking situation.

Carbondale Police Chief Don Strom expressed concern about events that occurred when Smil’in Jacks was in operation.

There were several instances this fall where we literally had to assign officers to direct traffic, he said.

Strom also talked about problems, such as people fighting and loitering, in the parking lot, and the need for officers to respond to problems.

It shouldn’t be our (the Police Department) responsibility to patrol the parking lots, Strom said.

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Jonathan Stewart, promotions and entertainment director for Chadwick’s Bar and Grill, said plans are being designed to alleviate the parking problems.

We intend to have four security (guards) assigned to the parking lot, he said. We’re also looking into uniformed security to patrol the parking lots.

In other business, Mark Terry, Graduate and Professional Student Council representative to the City Council, offered an apology for his involvement in an incident Sept. 30 at Paff’s Sports Bar and Grill, 622 E. Main St.

Paff’s Sports Bar and Grill was cited for an hours-of-operation violation when Terry and SIUC Student Trustee Pat Kelly were found in the establishment consuming alcohol after the bar had closed.

I have no excuses; I should not have been there, Terry told the board. If it is a strike against my character or credibility, I want to resign.

The board then entered a closed meeting to discuss the issue.

Mark Robinson, vice chairman of the board, said the board discussed the issue and decided to back Terry in his decision to resign or stay.

We decided to stand behind him, Robinson said. Nobody there was going to kick him off (the board).

Terry said he decided to remain on the board because there was not a consensus that he should resign.