Keep bars open to 4 AM?

[stoney]

I understand from the news that Larry is proposing bars stay open 'til 4 am?

While I realize this is the case in larger cities (Albany & NYC, for instance), what could be offered in Utica at that time of night to entice people to stay out other than drinking?? Believe me, I'm no prude but I don't see the benefit of this other than to give a small amount of extra income to the bar owners & therefore tax revenue to the county.

But to the detriment of whom?

[Clipper]

Larry who? Larry Tanoury? What news outlet is reporting that? I would like read about it, or was it on TV?

[stoney]

Yeah, Larry Tanoury, it was on 5:00, WKTV. But it's not on their website or I would have cited it.

Personally, I disagree with him on this one.

[Clipper]

I wonder what the hell is with that? They keep the bars open until 4 in Washington county NY. It makes no sense to me. The only result I can see coming from that change is for more people to miss work because they are drinking for an additional two hours and are still plastered when the alarm goes off in the morning. LOL

More drunks, higher blood alcohol readings, more DWI, more traffic accidents because the people will not only be drunk, but falling asleep. Where is the reasoning behind such a law?

[stoney]

That's exactly what the police chief is saying tonight.

[corner]

it was on tv wktv Larry is starting to come off like an idiot,,,i was buying his lack of involvement in a black mail scam until he admits to having a photo(s) on phone of the other 2 subjects in question now where the ceo lives is actually on the way to nowhere so unless larry was looking to get a photo op it would seem he would have no business in that neighborhood..Larry seroiusly your behavior is starting to be a concern and advocating bars being open longer to help the county;s financial problems is irresponsible esp in an area where alcoholism is a team sport.

[stoney]

Here it is!!

www.wktv.com/news/local/79084527.html

"I don't have an official study on it, but I think it is safe to say it is going to be millions of dollars in raised revenue for the county and municipalities, in sales tax,"~~LT

Over what period of time would it take to make 'millions", & at what cost?

[stoney]

"Outgoing Oneida County Legislator Larry Tanoury Jr. said he wants to extend the hours bars can stay open for a number of reasons - to cater to the college students already here, as well as try and attract more to come."

Larry, 3/4 of college 'kids' are under 21 if you figure they start at 18!

I'm totally not with you on this issue.

[tanouryjr]

Ok, ok folks. First, Corner... Say what you want about the photo but it is what it is and it was never used in a blackmail scam. If so, why didn't they receive the money and why was I not supporting it? I have voicemails from the CEO yelling at me for not supporting her. Furthermore, if everyone needs to know my life story, I live with my mother and take her to work and back everyday, which is St. Joseph's Nursing Home - Parkway to Oneida St. and down Proctor Blvd., left at Genny and there it is. If anyone wants to ask my mother our route to her work for her over 30 years working there, feel free.

Now, the law. We have run out of ways to raise revenue without raising taxes and fees. This year the CE created a county DMV fee and raised property taxes 2.5% along with us still having the highest sales tax in the state. Next year will be the toughest budget ever and this will create revenue without raising taxes or fees.

Next, we need to start capitalizing on the college population in Oneida County, believe it or not, many ARE 21 and others can still get into clubs but not drink. Then there is the other young population like all of my friends that flee the area because there is no nightlife or entertainment. This are is so dipressed it's not funny. We have to think outside the box.

Next, DWI... Erie County (Buffalo) has the same law and they actually have a lower per capita DWI rate than us. People that drink and drive will do it no matter what. That is a fear tactic. How about the thousands of people that go out every night and drink responsibly?

Next, it will give us a commpetitve edge over neighboring counties. I am not that old and when my friends and I were deciding where to go to college - like it or not - one of the main concerns was nightlife.

Next, there is no more Bendix, GE, etc. If we are to build this area up again, we MUST stop thinking like we are still 50 years behind the times or a senior community. Furthermore, seniors should be sick of having budgets balanced on their backs while they live on fixed incomes.

Next, Public Safety... We have all watched as these illegal after hours clubs (Patterson) have cost us resources and money and problems. This would cut their market by giving people a regulated and legal environment to hangout. And raise revenue.

The bad apples will always find a way to make trouble. I have done a ton of research on this and with the exception of the usual negative response that I knew I'd get, I find no valid reason not to do it. The business communitty likes it. I have also talked to many people over at facebook about this and they agree. A few of them are even staunch Conservatives and they said why not. It is called capitalism and government doesn't regulate morals and ethics. The fact is, we have to worry about the next generation because they are our only hope of rebuilding this area. If this can help encourage young people to visit the area or attend school here, we might be able to entice them to stay and start families and businesses.

[tanouryjr]

On the other hand, if we want to continue doing the same things we have been doing for the past 50 years and then complaining about them, be my guest. But it is going to take a little CHANGE to get this area back. I know change is tough, but nothing great has ever come from doing the same things over and over again that are proven failures. As General Eishenhower said, "If you want to make enemies, try to change something."

I guess he was right. But I'm fine with that.

[Clipper]

I suppose you have SOME valid points Larry, but I part company with ya on this issue buddy.

My first wife was from Washington County NY, Cambridge to be exact. Young people used to come from Bennington to drink until the wee small hours, because of not only the 4AM closing, but at the time, the 18 yr old drinking age in NY. There were very few weekends that someone wasn't killed in a DWI crash on their way back to Vermont along Rt. 7.

Is a 4AM bar closing law how our area colleges want to advertise and recruit or draw students??? That is pretty desperate in my mind. Hell if one is determined to make the night last til 4 AM, get a room and get lucky, or go to Denny's for breakfast. Better yet, buy a 12 pack or a bottle, and when 2 comes around, go home and continue your party at home.

[stoney]

"Next, we need to start capitalizing on the college population in Oneida County, believe it or not, many ARE 21 and others can still get into clubs but not drink."

I'm sorry, Larry. Most are NOT 21, & if they are in a bar under 21 they will try to get a drink. I did it, you did it, we all did it before the legal age. It's not going to be the 30/40/50 year olds out there.

There are social implications of this. Hell, if there weren't, why not keep the bars open 24/7?

" I am not that old and when my friends and I were deciding where to go to college - like it or not - one of the main concerns was nightlife. "

Larry, I'm sorry but I don't believe that for a minute. You've chosen community colleges where you lived because you lived in that city, not because of the 'nightlife'.

" It is called capitalism and government doesn't regulate morals and ethics. The fact is, we have to worry about the next generation because they are our only hope of rebuilding this area. If this can help encourage young people to visit the area or attend school here, we might be able to entice them to stay and start families and businesses."

This has zero to do with morals & ethics. And if the only way we can get young people to "visit the area or attend school here...entice them to stay" is to have bars open 'tl 4, then why do we want them anyway??? We have a million bar-flys in Oneida County, & I don't think they are the business owners you are hoping to attract.

Larry, you're way off the mark on this (in all due respect of course).

[tanouryjr]

I respect that Clipper. I am confidant that young people are much more responsible today though. I know there are bad ones, but my generation and below smoke way less and are way more open to not drinking and driving. It's funny, if you look at the DWI's, I would say that the vast majority are 45 and older.

Here are just a few comments from my Facebook page and the pages of a couple reporters that posted it on their's too (by the way, even the reporter from Syracuse thought it was a great idea):

Brandy Cross-That's my cousin ¢¾ (BTW - She's a Republican that usually disagrees with me on everything)

Dana Plado-I think it is a great idea to stay open till 4am.

John Kalil-Great idea as long as it doesn't require additional expenditures for increased public safety. Also, you and I would have to go head 2 head to see who could make it until 4AM. LOL

Jason F Skutnik-Kids can go down to Varick street at anytime of the day. After 10pm kids should be at home and getting ready for bed. The local and county economy could use a boost. I think it is a great Idea. People need a reason to come here! next to the boilermaker Saranac thursday is our biggest draw. Out of State college students wont even consider this... See More area because of the pathetic night life. Don't believe me ask around! There would be all sorts of residual economic growth around it. Go for it Larry!

Justin Wadsworth-Great interview...Great idea...Utica will always be in trouble and be in the shits as long as we keep doing everything that we are doing...by that I mean keeping the same "FOR ME AND MY BUDDIES" politicians in office ... and afraid of change, news to Uticans CHANGE IS GOOD!!!! I dont even go out and drink but once every couple of months and I ... See Morestill believe that this is a great idea...we need to have some type of attraction to bring people to utica for some reason we have a great brewery a great street for entertainment why not create a theme here...kind of like syracuse did armory square...I challenge the Oneida County Legislators to not be closed minded and think of the potential of this legislation...oh yeah and DWI's all that is are dumb asses, a dumb ass will be a dumb ass no matter what time he leaves the bar.

Kendra Frazier-HEY THAT WOULD BE A NCE THING THERE IS NOTHING HERE TO DO IN UTICA NAD ALBANY HA CLUBS AND BARS THAT ARE OPEN THAT LATE WHY CANT WE HAVE SOME TOO! good luck my brother from another mother! praying things wrk in ur favor

Sean D Mahoney-DO IT

Eddie Schafer-at least on the weekends

Jason F Skutnik-Great idea Larry!

Sabrina Solari-That's great!

David Bass Dancy-Utica is a City after all

Anthony Seoane-I like this idea. This Larry Tanoury guy should be president!!!! I dont know why the bars have to close at 2 anyway

Carla Murphy-the question is, why do the bars have to close at all?

Neena Lyndaker-i agree w carla

Meghan Black-I say hell yea !

Aaren Ashmore-I lived in Buffalo for three years, where the bars are open until 4am, and while three years may not be long enough to form a good position on the subject, I will say that since I have moved back to Central New York, I have heard of more cases of DWI, and accidents related to DWI than the time I spent in Buffalo. While that may not be a positive ... See Moreargument for the new legislation, I believe it shows that the people of the Buffalo area are more aware of the consequences of drunk driving, if that's what many people are worried about happening in our area. In relation to this, while Buffalo may be a much bigger city/region, and therefore the number of cabs and cab companies out there are much higher than what is currently offered in the Central New York region, the business opportunity for taxis in our area is immense, especially if the later hour is accepted, among other business ventures like late night food (who doesn't like a good, sloppy meal after a night of drinking?), and of course, new clubs and bars! Also, like Larry said, the college students in the area can, and should be capitalized on if the area is to grow. One more side note; I believe the statistics for drunk driving are beginning to say much more for our generation than generations past, as the number of incidents, mainly in New York state, are at their lowest in 28 years.

Now, call me crazy but these are all 20 and 30 somethings, the exact demographic we need to start listening to if we want to maintain our taxbase and workforce. It's not always about the few negative things you read in the paper. Again, there are thousands of responsible people that go out every night.

[stoney]

Carla Murphy-the question is, why do the bars have to close at all?

WELL, Larry???

[tanouryjr]

hahahaha. Maybe I should have left that one out, lol. For the record, that one was left on the reporters page. I don't know that girl. But come on Stoney, no way you could have read that whole thing this fast, lol.