Monitoring the city's 32 liquor license holders already takes too much police time to add a new social club license, Public Safety Director Martin Hellwig told the City Council Monday.
At issue was the request of MDM Sports Club official Dawud Hicks to add the license so the club could earn money to fund its activities for young people. Hicks first sought a license in June 2012, saying city club licenses had gone from five to four and his group wanted a fifth one. The council took no action and Hicks came back last month to ask again for amendment of an ordinance limiting club licenses to four.
In March, Hicks said the club at 129 West Fourth Street had 76 members in a place of "happiness and togetherness," though it was once a troubled after-hours club. He credited the Police Division with the positive change, but said the club was currently operating with once-a-month temporary licenses for events that benefited youth sports programs.
Hicks said the club began supporting sports activities for children aged 8 or 9 and now had young men 20 to 21 involved in basketball, football, track and other activities. He said through mentoring, "I personally got 10 in college."
On Monday Hicks came to the microphone during public comment to object to Hellwig's rationale, saying, "Let it be known we pay for the police to surveille our building."
He insisted there were no "incidents" at the club and added, "I lived here 47 years, I pay three taxes - can I have some services here?"
Hicks said most of the police don't even live in the city.
After saying the city could take away the club's license if it didn't work, he said, "This club is for us all!"
But when Council President Bridget called on Hellwig to respond, he said social clubs were one of the most difficult license holders to regulate.
As the exchange heated up, Corporation Counsel David Minchello reminded all that the issue was whether or not to amend the liquor license ordinance and that Hicks had no application before the council.
The city once had 38 liquor licenses and is now down to 32 for stores, bars, restaurants and clubs, but the amount exceeds a state formula for the number of licenses based on population. Those holding licenses before the state limit was imposed were "grandfathered in" and allowed to stay in business.
Meanwhile, redeveloper Frank Cretella has been trying to acquire one or two of the existing licenses for restaurants he is planning to open downtown. Cretella owns the Stone House restaurant in Warren and Liberty House Restaurant in Jersey City and recently acquired the Ryland Inn in Whitehouse Station. Councilman Cory Storch said Monday he is opposed to adding a license except for redevelopment.
Councilman William Reid, the council's most fervent opponent of liquor licenses, said the last police report on liquor establishments was 37 pages long and added, " I do have a problem in combining liquor with a youth program."
--Bernice
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So Cory is against issuing a license except for redevelopment. Landmark is redeveloping Plainfield one building at a time. Where is the license?? Cory and the rest of the council needs to get on board with making this happen. Landmarks restaurants speak for themselves. Would not Plainfield benefit from a venue like the Liberty House or Ryland Inn??? Something that would bring in people from not just Plainfield, but outside of the area. Creating jobs and providing tax revenues.
ReplyDeleteCouncilman Storch needs to speak for himself, but with that said I think thats what he was referring to, Landmark (and the like) , when he said he is opposed to adding a license EXCEPT for redevelopment.
DeleteAnd I agree the Council needs to make this happen.
I believe we should put it on the voting ballot for the people to decide
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