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Not everyone a big fan of DC bar rule for Obama inauguration
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As I reported earlier, the Washington D.C. City Council signed emergency legislation allowing, around inauguration time, for restaurants to be open 24 hours a day, and bars to serve alcohol until 5 a.m. The powers that be in the District hailed this as a chance for the city to line its coffers. Of course, this is going to cause a massive headache for law enforcement, which will be stretched razor thin as is. Quite predictably, some aren't so excited about the law. Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, in a radio interview recently, said he expects to talk to D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty about getting rid of the new regulation. He is concerned about people getting drunk in the District and then driving into Maryland.
Others who share O'Malley's sentiments are, myself, and a couple of senators. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Bob Bennett sent a letter to Fenty and the council asked them to get rid of the new legislation. I have posted the letter below for your perusal.
"Dear Mayor Fenty and Council Chairman Gray:
We are writing today to urge that City Council and the Mayor reverse emergency legislation approved by the Council last week that permits nightclubs, bars and restaurants to sell alcoholic beverages until 5 a.m. for four nights during the Inauguration of Barack Obama as our 44th President.
With projections as high as 4 million people planning to visit the city during this time period, we are deeply concerned that the plan approved by the City Council could seriously strain law enforcement resources that need to be focused on the large crowds and security requirements of the Inaugural and its impact on the City.
There is great cause for celebration at this historic event. But we believe that the benefits of this emergency legislation, passed with little public notice, are far outweighed by its possible consequences.
We understand the pressures you face from the different constituencies in your city. But we also know the importance of standing firm to ensure the safety of residents, workers and visitors who will be in Washington, D.C., participating in this historic event.”
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