Post in Keeping bars open longer for the RNC

Apr 03 15:32 UTC

Hi All,

Yesterday, the city council passed a resolution by a vote of 4-3 NOT to support
extending the bar hours during the Republican National Convention.

State lawmakers are proposing to extend bar hours to 4:00 AM during the
Republican National Convention.  They will vote on this proposed bill next
week.

Supporters of this measure were, Chris Coleman, Mayor, Kathy Lantry, City
Council President, Dan Bostrom, and Pat Harris, City Council Members.

My hat is off to these above mentioned city leaders.

Lee Helgen says, “This is not Las Vegas.  This is the city of St. Paul.”

Dave Thune says, “I got 8,000 people who live downtown who don’t want a bunch
of Republicans lobbyists puking on the streets.”

Well Dave and Lee here is the deal.

1. The state is proposing to allow bars to be open until 4:00 AM ONLY during
the RNC convention.  If St. Paul decides they don’t want to stay open that is
fine, but there will be other communities that will accommodate and accept the
money of these good citizens.  The larger question for you two would be, would
you be saying the same thing if this were the Democratic National Convention
coming to town?

2. The no smoking ban in bars that you both of you voted for have hurt bars in
St. Paul.  By allowing these bars to stay open a little longer during the RNC
convention would allow these bars to recover some of the lost income because of
the no smoking ban.  Also this would generate additional tax revenue for the
city.

3. Last year at the end of the legislative session, you had Sen. Mee Moua, with
the blessing of Chris Coleman and others on the city council, proposing to
raise the beverage tax in St. Paul to raise extra revenue for the city.  Mind
you this was done in the middle of the night WITHOUT public comment.  It seems
it was ok a year ago to try and soak the bars and restaurants for extra money
for the city.  By allowing these bars to stay open an extra three hours for a
very short time should be no problem and would benefit both the city and the
bars.

4. What also concerns me greatly is the comments and actions by some on the
city council towards the RNC.  It is not St. Paul nice.  Would these same
individuals be acting this way if the DNC were coming to town?  I don’t think
so.

Pat Harris is correct when he says he does not want RNC planners to look
elsewhere if St. Paul ends up being the only municipality against the longer
bar hours.  Mayor Chris Coleman adds, “I am deeply concerned about putting St.
Paul’s restaurant and bar owners at a competitive disadvantage with other
entertainment venues in the area.”

On this issue and this issue alone I stand with Mayor Chris Coleman, Pat Harris
and Dan Bostrom.

Sincerely,

John Krenik
Highland Park, St. Paul, Minnesota