Reid had many complaints about the annual process in which the City Council acts as the local Alcoholic Beverage Control board. He asked why the governing body had not received monthly police reports promised last year and puzzled out loud about one group of licenses for which the council was asked to "take no action" to grant or deny renewal. He also complained that the council received just that night a bulky police report dated June 1.
Only one license renewal was denied outright. The denial for Latin Bar at 665 South Avenue was based on 26 police responses to the site and an acting manager's alleged defiance toward police who were conducting the annual inspection.
The council approved four social club licenses, four for bars or restaurants and 10 for liquor stores, with Reid emphatically voting "no" on most to show his displeasure at the large number of licenses. Votes on others failed and will generate hearings to be held at a later date. Meanwhile, both those affected by failed votes and those with infractions that prevented renewal Thursday will be able to take out daily interim licenses after the June 30 deadline until the issues are resolved.
A couple of licenses that are not attached to any site will require special rulings from the state Alcoholic Beverage Control board. City Clerk Abubakar Jalloh explained that a license can only be held without a location for two years unless state officials give special permission.
The number of licenses in the city is now 32, down from 38 about 10 years ago. But Reid wants even fewer, and suggested that the city purchase any that come up or sale. No mention was made Thursday of developer Frank Cretella's desire to acquire one or more licenses for new restaurants he is building. The number of licenses exceeds a state formula based on population, as existing licenses were "grandfathered" in when the state set the limits.
The council will hold hearings next month on the licenses that failed to get approval Thursday and will vote on renewal again at the July 16 regular meeting.
In public comment,
--Bernice
I've never really gotten this whole issue with the licenses.
ReplyDeleteIn NYS... you can have a town with a population of 4,000 people with as many bars, stores and restaurants that serve or sell alcohol as the economy dictates.
In one of the few instances of common sense, New York State collects all the money on these licenses. This faux puritanical view of alcohol in NJ has always been amusing to me.
The city near where I am from of 20,000 people -- without me putting much thought into it... easily has 15-20 bars off the top of my head... another 30 restaurants that serve alcohol and without a doubt another 25-30 stores that sell alcohol and liquor stores -- WHO KNOWS..
That City, the City of Glens Falls is beautiful. Vibrant active downtown, clean, welcoming, in the middle of a growth spurt / resurgence and has little issues with the fact that you can buy alcohol anywhere.
I think as long as the police are proactive like they were with the one place, it becomes known that you can't run a business like that in Plainfield ( ooops...slipping up...the word of the day that can't apply to Plainfield -- ACCOUNTABILITY ... yes, that's right kids..it's the word that can apply to the other 7 Billion plus people in the world, but doesn't work in Plainfield ).
The city council is bitching they haven't received reports as promised. Asking where they are 1 year after the fact is even less responsible than the head of the police department who didn't make sure they were done.
And Reid's displeasure with the number of licenses ??? Really ?? Kind of like a whore telling me how to dress for church on Sunday. How are all those votes for every nut bag issue with Sharon sitting with ya??? Did you suddenly get a soul ???? Seeking redemption through the condemnation of alcohol ?? Yeah, you and the god fearing Mayor are first in St.Peter's book.
( -- And Bernice..I know sometimes you take exception with how I say things. But this is a classic case of "Those who sit on high" preaching down to the masses from their ivory tower. How dare he, as an elected official continue to insult the intelligence of the people in Plainfield with his actions that are easily tracked vote by vote and every word accountable for thinking we somehow don't know how he really is. Don't tell me you care about Plainfield but stomping you feet and crossing your arms over beer but have been throwing the populace under the bus with every ignorant act concerning the mayor for the last 6years. )
I think Rob's evaluation of Councilman Reid is on the money. If we concentrated on enforcement of the laws on the books and closed the bars who served obviously drunk clients or juveniles, then we wouldn't need to be concerned with the number of liquor licenses and would have a safer city.
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Ms. Paglia do you know if the strike out team finally stop playing on the community intelligence and bought Mrs. Belin-Pyes already signed contract to light. We the community already know she have signed her contract in the Campbells real-estate office, I wish they would just go ahead and stop stringing the community along. BOE member Keisha Edwards said they would post the comments on the district websight, WHERE ARE THEY. This is a real disgrace.
ReplyDeleteI attended the meeting last night and yes Mr. Campbell, oops I mean Mrs. Belin-Pyes was voted in as superintendent the vote was not unanimous.
DeleteWOW what a disservice to the CHILDREN of out DISTRICT. Well she will be held accountable come this NOVEMBER. The PEOPLE will speak.
ReplyDeleteI think that Mr. Hicks should be considered for the fifth liquor license because he always supports the youth. Since he has been open there has not been any problems, unlike other establishments. Sometimes, we have to go out the box for new surroundings.
ReplyDeletejoanne hollis