Blogtown, PDX

Friday, November 9, 2007

Politics Testify on the OLCC’s All Ages Policy on Monday!

Posted by Amy J. Ruiz on Fri, Nov 9 at 3:15 PM

The OLCC’s considering a policy that could open up the all ages music scene in Portland, by loosening up the rules on allowing minors into places that serve alcohol. Cool, right? We’re all for it—and hosted our last Debate Club about it. (And, perhaps you’ve seen Cary Clarke’s awesome columns about it, like this one.)

The OLCC had a hearing on it a few weeks ago—but there’s a hearing at city hall on the policy on Monday afternoon. It’s a holiday! You’ve got nothing better to do than get your butt down there and demand that the OLCC do their part to foster Portland’s all ages music scene.

4 pm, City Hall, 1221 SW 4th

Action Alert - Multnomah Youth Commission Hosting OLCC Testimony on Proposed Rule Change
The Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) is currently accepting public testimony on a proposed change to the Minor Posting rule (OAR 845-006-0340). The rule change would allow music and entertainment venues to submit control plans which would allow minors on premises while alcohol is served. The control plan must detail how venues would prevent minors from having increased access to alcohol and limit their exposure to a “drinking environment.” If the control plan were approved by the OLCC venues could allow patrons under 21 into their establishment while alcohol was being served.

The Multnomah Youth Commission is hosting a public forum to accept testimony from the public on this rule change. Anyone is able to provide testimony but people under the age of 21 will be given priority.

The forum will be held on Monday, November 12th from 4-5:30pm (Veteran’s Day) at Portland City Hall in Council Chambers. Portland City Hall is located at 1221 SW Fourth Avenue.

If you are unable to attend, public comment can be sent directly to Jennifer Huntsman, the OLCC presiding officer at jennifer.huntsman@state.or.us. Public testimony is due by Tuesday, November 13th at 5pm.

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Comments

worst idea EVER. Come ON.
We know the kids are going to be drunk as hell, oooo and then hopefully they will hop in their cars and run some poor bicyclist off the road.

This is ridiculous.

Posted by idiota | November 9, 2007 4:10 PM

I've got to say, I think not having 16 year olds starting mosh pits (as used to happen at nearly every all-ages show I went to in LA) is pretty great. Perhaps people here don't remember how annoying teenagers can be (and usually are). Also, I worry that these changes might lead us down a slippery slope to losing the 21+ 2nd theatres. Who doesn't love seeing a movie without squealing brats and noisy teenagers?

Posted by tim | November 9, 2007 4:48 PM

If I wanted to listen to teenagers like talk and like watch me like drink, i would like become a teacher..or something.

Posted by Teenagers Are Annoying | November 10, 2007 9:27 AM

wow. apparently some people don't remember how much it sucked to be underage and see all the ads in the paper for shows you couldn't go see. also, what's so wrong about having kids at a show who will actually show some enthusiasm, instead of sipping beer and looking as bored as possible?

Posted by Jason | November 10, 2007 1:31 PM

OLCC? OLCC!!! Mere mention of that acronym causes my hot button to stick. What good is this antiquated, bloated, money sucking bureaucracy in 2007? Prohibition ended nearly 75 years ago folks. It's way past time to put Oregon out of the liquor business and let the free market run the show. FUCK THE OLCC!!! Who's with me?

Posted by kyle | November 10, 2007 5:25 PM

I'm with ya, Kyle.
People need to go back and listen to Alcoholics Unanimous' inspirational record "At War With The OLCC."
Great stuff!

Posted by Beauregarde | November 10, 2007 9:20 PM

As an Oregonian college student transplanted to the Twin Cities, it's really great to go to +18 shows where alcohol is served but regulated. It gives kids something to do, it's relatively difficult to get alcohol, it makes local venues more viable and thus prevents the corporate control of music/venues, and it helps foster a local community. Where will all these young, creative types settle when they grow up?

Posted by Aaron | November 12, 2007 12:46 PM

Jason's right. You have to admit that Portland has THE LEAST energetic music fan base of any city that I have been do. Yeah, there are a lot of fans, but I always think I walked into a pouting contest when I'm at a show - it's incredible. And being in a band in this town, it's hard to deal with. That said, I'm all for all-ages venues. Teenagers are going to be as drunk and drive as much at a house party in the suburbs as they would if they were at a show downtown. At least there's public transportation and a seemingly reasonable presence of police downtown. And teenagers would show a lot more enthusiasm and have better conversations. To disagree with "teenagers are stupid" your quote resembles pretty much every conversation I have ever overheard at Holocene or ACME, etc. Juvenile linguistics is not reserved to juveniles.

Plus, teenagers have better drugs, aren’t fat, aren’t bitter, are living off their parents as much as most 20-somethings in this town, and are more motivated and better looking than most people at local shows. That’s reason enough. Let’s invest in our future so that teenagers can grow up and possibly show interest when our kids’ bands start playing shows in town.

Posted by Brohski Malowski | November 13, 2007 1:00 PM

Being a 16 year old and a current resident of Portland, I support the possible provisions created by the OLCC. No matter what concert anybody attends, there is usually some kind of drug environment. It's always going to be that way, so keeping an age restriction doe nothing.
The OLCC should have done this a long time ago.

Posted by Keegan | November 13, 2007 7:59 PM

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