Class J, 4AM Liquor Licenses

On Monday evening the Council will discuss the Class J Liquor License Category.  In other words, we are going to talk about 4am bars and whether our policy on them needs to change.  Today there are five establishments with Class J Licenses:

Rand Road House
River Rand Bowl
Chiava
Manzo's
Miner Street Tavern

Aldermen Robinson (Chair), Brookman, and Wilson -- members of the legal and licensing committee -- voted 2 to 1, to recommend to the full City Council that the Class J Licenses not be changed, but that further applications be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Where do I stand?
If you've been watching our first few meetings, you'll notice I'm not a fan of the City imposing it's wishes on local business owners.  The City should serve as a partner, promoting an environment where business can succeed.  Further, it really isn't our place to make decisions (a restaurant name change, or a decision to keep/upgrade a sign for instance) on behalf of a local business. Then we have liquor licenses.  The Council is asked to make subjective decisions on what businesses get a liscense and which ones go without.  So, it goes without saying that this discussion is not a natural one for me, considering my usual "business-minded" tendencies. 

I am pro-business and opposed to 4am licenses.  You'll hear more from me on the topic after I get a chance to discuss it with the other council members on Monday. Until then, I'd like to hear what you have to say. Please post HERE before Monday so I can share your thoughts with my colleagues.