Seneca revokes business license

A vote last night at Seneca City Hall revokes the license to operate of the business known as Purple Haze—at 722 W. N. 1st Street, Suites A and B. The 7 to 1 vote was taken over the protest of the Purple Haze owner and its attorney. Councilman Stuart Pohl voted no. Joel Seavey, city clerk-treasurer, explained after the meeting the action to revoke does not mean Purple Haze must close its doors right away. It’s part of a legal and regulatory process that must first play out. Going into last night’s meeting Purple Haze’s business license had been suspended by the city. The decision to revoke the license pleased John Covington, the city police chief. But Steve Lefevre of Anderson, the attorney representing Purple Haze and its owner, Sabrina Jenkins, called the license revocation “premature.” Lefevre acknowledged he’ll defend Jenkins against a drug charge in Greenville County, but he said that is a criminal matter separate from the civil action which brought them last night to the city council chambers. But Covington followed the attorney and said that while it’s true that the Purple Haze owner faces no criminal charges in Seneca, “We’re currently working under the umbrella of the DEA and there is a larger game plan involved. But that is not to say there is not going to be individual criminal charges stemming from this,” Covington told the mayor and city council.