Adventures in government stupidity
This has got to be one of the dumbest and pointless laws on the books:
More than 100 people packed a city council meeting to voice their opposition to a city law that bans karaoke, dancing, cards and trivia contests at restaurants that also serve alcohol.The reasoning for the ban is that it somehow fights crime. I can't believe anyone would actually attempt to enforce this.[...]
The law has been on the books but gained attention when the police chief visited 17 businesses in February to enforce it, telling them that entertainment had to be limited to passive forms such as watching television or listening to music.
On Monday, the city council did amend its liquor law to allow arcade games in restaurants where alcohol is sold. The members said they may revisit changing the law to allow karaoke and trivia in the coming weeks, but only one council member, Ken Swain, came out in support for allowing those activities.
Comments
Sounds like they're trying to give the Stockbridge City Council a run for their money for the 'boneheads in government' award. When your police chief agrees to enforce something like this, it's time to get a new one.
Posted by: Dutch | March 13, 2007 09:29 PM
In Texas recently, the New Braunfels City Council voted to ban beer coolers on the river that people traditionally floated down with their beer. Within a week, the voters had twice as many signatures needed for a recall petition. Not sure what it takes to do this in Georgia but the Meeks family should have posted a recall petition at their flower shop in Stockbridge and the people of Lilburn should do the same thing and after the recall, fire the Chief of Police as well.
Posted by: DMZDave | March 13, 2007 11:04 PM
Not sure what it takes to do this in Georgia but the Meeks family should have posted a recall petition at their flower shop in Stockbridge...
We had talked about it, but they decided against it.
Posted by: Jason | March 13, 2007 11:34 PM
You see, if you make drinking establishments pleasant, people might drink there!
Better to make sure that any place with a liquor license is as dreary, drab, and depressing as you can make it. If they could force you to drink in a 4' by 6' concrete cell with no light, they'd probably do so.
Posted by: Brad Warbiany | March 14, 2007 02:25 AM
DMZDave: To conduct a recall in Georgia is a very convoluted--and time sensitive--process. If you are interested in this, have Jason get you connected with me and I can point you in the right direction...
Now, Jason: For outlawing karaoke...let me paint a picture for you: Just imagine a drunk Monta Brown or a Wayne Smith or a BJ Mathis or a Jason Harper all singing a karaoke version of Pink Floyd's "Money." Then you may discover the real reason behind the law--reduction of noise pollution.
Posted by: Wonder Dog | March 14, 2007 09:22 PM