|
All bars should keep same hours
University Chronicle
EDITORIAL BOARD
The issue: The State Senate recently passed a bill that would give hotel bars in St. Cloud the option of staying open later than non-hotel bars.
What we think: All bars should keep the same hours.
In a 35-29 vote, the State Senate passed a bill that would give hotel bars in St. Cloud, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Rochester and Duluth the option to stay open until 2 a.m. on weekdays and 2:30 a.m. on weekends.
The bill, the brain-child of Sen. Linda Higgins (DFL-Minneapolis), is designed to allow hotels, in the cities selected for late closing time, an outlet for business conferences that convene there. The later bar closing would allow conference attendees a place to socialize and chat after meetings are over.
However, in a city like St. Cloud, having some bars staying open later than others could cause quite a problem. Safety issues could arise when hotel bars stay open later than non-hotel bars. Patrons of bars could decide to travel (via foot or car) to a hotel bar that will still be open after the 1 a.m. closing time. With the dangers that come with traveling while intoxicated, especially driving, it is not safe for others in the community.
Many area hotel owners and senators are already showing support, but there are also people like Sen. Edward Oliver, R-Deephaven, who oppose extended hours for hotel bars. He is quoted in the St. Cloud Times:
"I would predict that by extending bar hours, what in fact is going to happen is we will have people suffering from alcohol-related incidents."
Sen. Dave Kleis, R-St. Cloud, who supports having all bars stay open later, has a strong basis behind his idea � creating a place for business travelers to enjoy themselves while in the city. Perhaps Sen. Kleis has the right idea. He is quoted in the St. Cloud Times:
"You don't want folks going from a bar to a hotel bar because that bar's open until 2 (a.m.) and the other one is only open until 1 (a.m.)," he said. "It would make a lot more sense if we had some consistency here."
However, to ensure the safety of all citizens, the state should heed Sen. Oliver's warning and close all bars at 1 a.m.
|
|
|
|
|
|
