Issue date: 3/29/06 Section: Campus News

Media Credit: Jennifer Hietpas Streaks of light from traffic pass by the Nasty Habit Saloon, 341 Water St. Wednesday night.

Junior Jennifer Johnson frequents the Nasty Habit, 341 Water St., and said that in her experiences, she hasn't seen anything incriminating, despite a complaint that has been filed against the establishment by the Eau Claire City Attorney.

"I know some people that work there and, to my knowledge, there was never a problem with how they acted," Johnson said.

However, city officials are pushing for the revocation or suspension of Nasty Habit's liquor license. Police Chief Jerry Matysik and City Attorney Stephen Nick filed the complaint in response to "a pattern of behavior occurring over a long period," Nick said, citing employee violence and intoxication.

The complaint cites an incident of an intoxicated employee joining a fight outside of the establishment and a separate incident of an employee kicking a customer's face while being held on the ground.

Tavern operator Scott Hegwood declined to comment on the situation. Hegwood's attorney, Drew Ryberg, has asked for the criminal complaint to be dismissed.

Criminal charges have been issued to individual employees over the years, Ryberg said, but most of those have been resolved.

"This sanction is basically too extreme for things that have already been resolved," he said. "It's too drastic and not appropriate."

Nasty Habit employee Cory Shay said the allegations against employees drinking excessively and acting violently give the bar a bad name that it doesn't deserve.

"The problems aren't that great, and (Nasty Habit) has been singled out," Ryberg said. "These types of things happen at every bar … and I think a fair share of this is due to the nature of the business."

Nick says the city isn't seeing the frequency or severity of incidents like this at other bars on Water Street.

"These aren't things going on for weeks or even months," Nick said, "but years."

In the past, city officials have met with Hegwood regarding the pattern of these incidences; however, Nick said they aren't seeing any improvements.

"I've never thought any of the employees act out of hand," senior Amanda Cordes said. "At least, not any more than other bars.

The reason I go there is because of the workers. It's fun to be there with them."

The city's Administrative Review Board will hold the hearing for the license revocation or suspension complaint May 11 at City Hall.

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