Slog - Comments on Club Crackdown: The SNMA Responds http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/club_crackdown_the_snma_responds The Seattle Nightlife and Music Association, a lobby group for Seattle's music industry, just completed its analysis of Mayor Greg Nickels's proposed nightlife license and new regulations for bars and clubs. Not surprisingly, it's a scathing takedown of a proposal that already seems unlikely to survive in its current form. The SNMA begins by pointing out that, although Nickels included club representatives on his Nightlife Task Force, they had nothing to do with the drafting of the legislation—belying claims by the mayor's staff that the proposal had the full sign-off of the club representatives. "This was extremely frustrating and, in... Copyright 2008 Fri, 12 Jan 2007 16:06:58 -0800 Fri, 12 Jan 2007 19:53:35 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by barflue One thing that really needs to be pointed out is that these new regulations would make many bars, restaurants and pubs essentially "nightclubs".

This means not only are they subject to costly requirements and upgrades they might not be able to afford, but their "nightclub" license, unlike a liquor license, can be revoked immediately and at any time for any infraction. This gives the city the power to basically shut down a bar at any time for any subjective reason - unlike a liquor license where you have to accrue a certain number of infractions to have your license pulled.

These requirements hogtie business owners, who, by the way Nickels, put liquor tax money into your coffers. Think about that as you try to put them out of business.

]]> barflue http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/club_crackdown_the_snma_responds#c588898 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/club_crackdown_the_snma_responds#c588898 City Fri, 12 Jan 2007 16:39:24 -0800 Comment by Meinert The music business alone generates $1.2 billion in economic activity in Seattle per year, and pays over $11 million in taxes to Seattle. That doesn't include the many other late night bars and restaurants who add much more to that figure.

The State of Washington Liquor Board is also trying to create a Nightclub License that is redundant while having some different standards. The Mayor's policy on this is very, very poor. We have no idea why he is ignoring the nightlife and music communities on this one, as he has been supportive in the past. The community is calling out for more enforcement of current laws, especially for people on the street. The Mayor has responded with a crappy license for one type of late night business. How will this help stop the crack dealers on the street at night, or the other crime that's on the increase? How will it stop people who leave bars from being loud and obnoxious? It won't, it will just hurt the City and one of it's best homegrown assets. Let's hope Licata stops this insanity.

]]> Meinert http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/club_crackdown_the_snma_responds#c588909 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/club_crackdown_the_snma_responds#c588909 City Fri, 12 Jan 2007 16:53:49 -0800 Comment by Dave Coffman Preventing littering? One way to kill that (and it should be killed, dead) would be to have the same unenforcible requirement on any coffeeshop (read Starbucks et al) within city limits. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't see a Sbux cup in the street or associated litter from that establishment flying around.

]]> Dave Coffman http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/club_crackdown_the_snma_responds#c588998 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/club_crackdown_the_snma_responds#c588998 City Fri, 12 Jan 2007 19:53:35 -0800