STC Nite Life News and Updates

STC Nite Life News and Updates Any news, updates or articles that we publish, will be syndicated here. Thanks for subscribing! http://www.stcnitelife.com Geneva votes again, extends liquor serving hours GENEVA -- The City Council Monday night, Sept. 25, made its second turnabout in two weeks on allowing taverns and restaurants to serve liquor longer. The council approved an amendment to the liquor control ordinance that allows establishments to serve drinks until 2 a.m. instead of 1 a.m., and to serve alcohol beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday, instead of noon. The new hours took effect immediately upon approval. The law passed Sept. 25 is essentially the same as one considered the previous two weeks by the council. On Sept. 25 the vote was 7-2 in favor of the longer hours. One alderman was missing. Several things were different. One was in the ordinance itself, the addition of a sunset clause. The amendment and change in hours must be revisited by the council on or before May 8, 2007. That change alone was enough to get Alderman Craig Maladra, 5th Ward, to change his vote. He voted against the ordinance the week before, but said he felt comfortable forcing the council to look at it again in less than a year. Maladra said he still does not like the idea of Geneva changing its ordinance to mirror surrounding communities like St. Charles and Batavia. The thinking among some people has been that people leave Geneva bars to go to St. Charles for later closing hours. A proponent of that thinking is Mayor Kevin Burns, who missed the prior week's meeting when the council turned the ordinance down. He mentioned that four former Geneva graduating classes attended homecoming festivities last Friday night, Sept. 22, and the alums left Geneva to finish their evenings in St. Charles. He pointed out the new law only gives bar owners an opportunity to stay open longer, without forcing the issue. Burns has said he expects it to be used more on some weekends, and on special nights, like the Wednesday before Thanksgiving or New Year's Eve. As for the earlier opening on Sunday, that was more for restaurant owners who have brunches and want to offer champagne. One aldermen who did not change his mind was Jim Radecki, 2nd Ward. He led the charge against the ordinance the prior week, and did so again Sept. 25. "Nothing good even happens in a bar after 1 a.m., nothing," he said. "I promise you we will see an increase in drunken driving, bar fights and disorderly conduct." By the same token, Radecki said he believes the new hours will have a small impact on only a few bar owners. Alderman Ron Singer, 4th Ward, said when the council revisits the ordinance within the next year, he would like to consider raising the liquor license fee for places that do stay open later. (http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/bataviasun/news/80665,2_6_2_TC04_GENHOURS _S1.article) October 4, 2006, by STEVE LORD STAFF WRITER http://www.stcnitelife.com/articles.php?article_ref=4 Wed, 25 Oct 2006 00:00:01 -0500 http://www.stcnitelife.com/articles.php?article_ref=4 Wanted: Responsibility in Geneva Two seemingly significant things happened Monday. First, Chicago's baseball season effectively came to an end. Second, Geneva extended its bar hours to 2 a.m. For some people, these two events were very much related. Because the extension went into effect immediately, White Sox fans now are able to drown their sorrows in Geneva until 2 a.m. each night instead of 1 a.m. If bars choose to stay open that late, of course. Yes, it's too bad that the Sox faltered during this last half of the season and didn't make the playoffs. But with the weather turning colder and the leaves changing colors, I'm past baseball. It's football season now. Luckily, the White Sox's bad news was offset by positive showings by my football teams last weekend. The Iowa Hawkeyes and the Chicago Bears both won, and Notre Dame pulled out a huge come-from-behind victory against Michigan State. Yes, I'm a not-so-closet Fighting Irish fan, as well. But whether celebrating team wins, lamenting losses or just going out for a good time, drinkers should take care when taking advantage of Geneva's added hour. One alderman voted against extending the bar hours, saying that nothing good happens after 1 a.m. I would have to agree, but here's hoping that people will be responsible, bartenders attentive, and police vigilant. Adding a sunset clause to the ordinance was an effective way to ensure that the situation will be monitored and Geneva's usually peaceful community maintained. If things turn south, city officials should not be afraid to return to the tried and true way of handling late-night crowds ââ�¬â�� kick them out by 1 a.m. Just as Geneva considers a smoking ban with the other of the Tri-Cities instead of going it alone, Geneva needs to keep pace with Batavia and St. Charles' business hours in order to remain a destination. As long as designated drivers and/or encouraging moderation are the norm in Geneva, extending hours could be a positive for businesses that take advantage of it. The other new provision instituted this week seems less controversial. Restaurants now can serve alcohol starting at 10 a.m. on Sundays instead of noon. This also became effective immediately. Now, Geneva could become more of a destination for pre-gaming Bears fans as well as the post-church brunch crowd. Many bar and restaurant owners already have said not all of them will take advantage of the extra hours, both at night and in the morning. Some also said they would monitor their clientele themselves and go back to the old closing times if problems develop. Hopefully, this was not just lip service to persuade aldermen to pass the measure. Only time will tell. Until then, be safe. * Kelley Casino covers Geneva for the Chronicle. She can be reached at (630) 845-5355 or kcasino@kcchronicle.com. http://www.stcnitelife.com/articles.php?article_ref=3 Thu, 10 Aug 2006 00:00:01 -0500 http://www.stcnitelife.com/articles.php?article_ref=3