ALBANY -- Mayor Jerry Jennings has asked city bars and restaurants to consider closing voluntarily at 2 a.m. instead of two hours later, as permitted by state and county law.
During meetings last week with tavern owners, Jennings cited increased police calls in the wee hours for fights, drunk and disorderly behavior and more serious crimes, including assault and rape, according to the mayor and those in attendance.
"It's my conclusion that between 2 and 5 (a.m.) not a lot of good things happen," Jennings said Monday. "We're asking them to collectively take a look at the issue and work with us on what needs to be done to improve our city."
Bar owners concede that alcohol-related problems tend to occur in the overnight hours but worry that closing two hours early will seriously affect their business.
"We understand the concerns and would be willing to do it, but we'd want reassurance that if we decided to close early, everyone else would, too. Others staying open until 4 wouldn't work for us," said Brian Viglucci, who is a partner in half a dozen Pine Hills bars and restaurants, including The Point, Cafe Madison, Pub 869 and the Stone Crow. The latter two cater to a younger crowd and do approximately 70 percent of their business after 2 a.m., Viglucci said.
"In this economy, when small businesses need every revenue stream they can get, this (proposal) would definitely cost jobs. Some bars would definitely close," said John DeJohn, who owns three Lark Street restaurants and Pearl Street Pub downtown.
Jennings said the idea has been endorsed by representatives of Albany colleges.
"In general, we support ideas that lead to further improvement of the community and enhancement of the safety and welfare of our students," said Ben Marvin, spokesman for The College of Saint Rose, which is part of the fabric of the uptown neighborhoods and bar districts that would be affected by the proposal.
Most of the students at Saint Rose and the other colleges in Albany are not of legal age to drink. So those students should not be in the bars to begin with.
George Amedore & Christian Klueg for NYS Senate 2016 Pete Vroman for State Assembly 2016[/size][/color]
"For this is what America is all about. It is the uncrossed desert and the unclimbed ridge. It is the star that is not reached and the harvest that is sleeping in the unplowed ground." Lyndon Baines Johnson
If you've ever went to college, especially in Albany, (and I figure you for someone who went somewhere at some time) you would know how many undergraduates who are not yet of age go out drinking all the time. I bet this happens here in Schenectady, too. Many nights, the biggest part of the crowd can be the college kids.
You're assuming that the "kids" are following the law, which we hear too many times that they are not.
If you've ever went to college, especially in Albany, (and I figure you for someone who went somewhere at some time) you would know how many undergraduates who are not yet of age go out drinking all the time. I bet this happens here in Schenectady, too. Many nights, the biggest part of the crowd can be the college kids.
You're assuming that the "kids" are following the law, which we hear too many times that they are not.
When I started college, the legal drinking age was 18 and eventually was shifted to 21 over the next 4 years - so back then it was perfectly legal to drink at bars or on campus. In fact, I believe that the drinking age should be returned to 18 -- as it was a lot safer to buy some beer and drink on campus --- now the young people go off campus to drink illegally and then endanger lives when they drive back after drinking.
I don't assume that the young people obey the laws .. but I expect them to .. Also, I expect that campus officials and local bar owners would enforce the drinking age laws for as long as they remain on the books.
George Amedore & Christian Klueg for NYS Senate 2016 Pete Vroman for State Assembly 2016[/size][/color]
"For this is what America is all about. It is the uncrossed desert and the unclimbed ridge. It is the star that is not reached and the harvest that is sleeping in the unplowed ground." Lyndon Baines Johnson
I have friends who live in AZ. Their bars shut down at midnight. The party life in AZ starts about 6pm at night, unlike 10-11pm here. I guess it's all what you're use to.
But we can look at this differently.....bars are a private business, just like any other. It is the role of government to provide a safe environment, low taxes and the infrastructure for businesses. The business should not have to cut their hours to suit the governments obligation for safety.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
I have friends who live in AZ. Their bars shut down at midnight. The party life in AZ starts about 6pm at night, unlike 10-11pm here. I guess it's all what you're use to.
But we can look at this differently.....bars are a private business, just like any other. It is the role of government to provide a safe environment, low taxes and the infrastructure for businesses. The business should not have to cut their hours to suit the governments obligation for safety.
While the bars are a private business, there is a point where their private business activity impacts public safety. Personally, I think they should FIRST crack down on the illegal sale of booze to those under 21. There should be a ZERO TOLERANCE policy .. if a business sells to an underage person .. pull their license forever. If an underage person purchases booze - automatic year in jail. Zero tolerance will dry up the problem.
George Amedore & Christian Klueg for NYS Senate 2016 Pete Vroman for State Assembly 2016[/size][/color]
"For this is what America is all about. It is the uncrossed desert and the unclimbed ridge. It is the star that is not reached and the harvest that is sleeping in the unplowed ground." Lyndon Baines Johnson
I was watching a show last night called The First 48. Good crime show with real stuff. But something on one of the episodes I watched caught my attention. And it also caught the investigators attention. They were looking for someone that shot someone else in front of a bar. Apparently they were kicked out of another bar. When the cops went to the first bar, they were told that they had a system set up for those who enter the bar. They have to have an ID which they scan into a computer. This allows the bar owner to know who is in the bar and how old they are. They cant get drinks unless they are of age. Also there is a video camera at this scanner that provided the cops with a picture of the person whose ID was scanned. So they got a name, photo and time they were at the bar. This system will also control how many drinks they had. Want a drink? Scan your ID. If only there was a way to legally take car keys upon entering. Too drunk to drive? Guess you dont get your car keys back until the cab arrives. I lost my cousin to a drunk driver. Ive also lost too many friends that way as well.
I will also state that college kids do drink on campus. Whether or not they are of legal age, it doesnt matter to them. For some people, they have the thinking that nothing bad will happen to them until it actually does. Wake up calls come too late for them. Kids follow adult direction. They want to be adults because they think its cool. Partying is fun til someone gets hurt or killed. If you are going to party, at least have the intelligence to have a sober friend with you to drive.
But then there are those types of drinkers that once they are drunk, they become God. And the more they drink, the more likely they are going to do things they wont remember til morning.
IMHO, I think the drinking age shouldnt be lowered back 18 because I dont think there is enough responsibility. Todays kids arent like those of 30 years ago. There isnt enough discipline or respect of others like there used to be.
IMHO, Todays kids arent like those of 30 years ago. There isnt enough discipline or respect of others like there used to be.
...Like kids 30 years ago!!! That puts us at 1980. America was just exiting the 70's - a decade of pill popping, disco, platform shoes, polyester and free love. Then enter the 80's - a decade of cocaine, booze, bad music, AIDS, and the “war on drugs”. I wouldn't use 1980 as the years of self-discipline. Maybe 1950 would be a better example.
IMHO, Todays kids arent like those of 30 years ago. There isnt enough discipline or respect of others like there used to be.
...Like kids 30 years ago!!! That puts us at 1980. America was just exiting the 70's - a decade of pill popping, disco, platform shoes, polyester and free love. Then enter the 80's - a decade of cocaine, booze, bad music, AIDS, and the “war on drugs”. I wouldn't use 1980 as the years of self-discipline. Maybe 1950 would be a better example. The 1960's was the start of the "if it feels good do it" counter-culture revolution. That is when self-discipline was un-harnessed and personal responsibility began to deteriorate. Now, everybody's a victim of society. That's what they are taught.
I grew up in a small town and we had small town values. We didnt dare disrespect our parents because there would be a punishment. We were never hit or anything like that but we learned not to do the same stupid thing twice. It was bad enough to get up early to take care of the animals that we didnt need added chores or things taken away from us. And we were very respectful to our neighbors and school staff. Even as a teen (moved to Colonie by then) I dont remember half the stuff that goes on today, happening then. And that was the early 80s. I do remember hanging out with friends that lived in Schenectady in the late 80s and I personally dont think it was nearly as bad as it is today.
If it is voluntary I don't see the problem, I doubt many would actually do it though considering the loss of revenue they would lose.
"In the beginning of a change, the Patriot is a scarce man, brave, hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a Patriot."
...Like kids 30 years ago!!! That puts us at 1980. America was just exiting the 70's - a decade of pill popping, disco, platform shoes, polyester and free love. Then enter the 80's - a decade of cocaine, booze, bad music, AIDS, and the “war on drugs”. I wouldn't use 1980 as the years of self-discipline. Maybe 1950 would be a better example.
I don't think kids today are much different than kids in 1980 or 1880 or 1780 .... booze has always been around .. so have drugs ... music and dance fads come and go .... I remember my grandmother telling me how her father was all worked up about the music and dancing of the1920's when she was a young adult.
The 1950's weren't so innocent either -- except in some peoples' fantasies.
George Amedore & Christian Klueg for NYS Senate 2016 Pete Vroman for State Assembly 2016[/size][/color]
"For this is what America is all about. It is the uncrossed desert and the unclimbed ridge. It is the star that is not reached and the harvest that is sleeping in the unplowed ground." Lyndon Baines Johnson
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