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Friday, February 22, 2008
News OLCC Hears Testimony on All Age Venues
Posted by on Fri, Feb 22 at 5:15 PM
Today at 10:00am the Oregon Liquor Control Commission heard testimony over proposed amendments that would provide music venues greater flexibility in allowing minors access to events where alcohol is served. 
OLCC HEARING: CARY CLARKE TESTIFIES THIS MORNING
Currently, Oregon bars and clubs are prohibited from serving beer or alcohol at music shows which allow all ages to attend. In December, the committee voted 3-2 against an earlier version of the amendment, saying it was too vague and didn’t provide a specific enough means of controlling alcohol distribution. Since then, OLCC staff drafted a proposal with more specific plans as to how venue-owners would ensure an environment where minors couldn’t get their sneaky hands on a PBR. Whether it’s wristbands, hand markings, or minor-designated areas, the new revisions provide written guidelines for drinking control mechanisms. Read more about the history of the issue right here.
In addition to an OLCC staff representative, three people went on record this morning in support of the amendment. They argued that it was beneficial for everyone – young people, local bands, bar and club owners – to allow minors greater access to the arts. Supporters claimed Portland was one of the only major cities in America that didn’t allow for all-inclusive music shows. Cary Clarke of PDX Pop Now! was particularly passionate about the proposal’s benefit to young people, saying the opportunity to attend more shows was vitally important to their personal and artistic growth.
“The exposure to local arts at a young age - in particular the local music scene - has changed the lives of so many people I know for the better,” he said. “It’s doing young people a real disservice by limiting their ability to go see these shows.”
Also cited was the absence of data linking greater access for minors to an increase in underage drinking.
Christie Scott, the public affairs specialist for the OLCC, said that the new amendment would be completely voluntary for venue-owners.
“It would merely give them the option - not to mention the guidelines - for mixed-age events,” she said. “If owners were not enforcing their control plans, and they were in violation, then the state could take away the right to allow minors onto the premises.”
No one spoke in opposition to the new measures, and the OLCC says it has received 27 emails in support. The vote will take place on April 16th or 17th. Comments on the amendment can be emailed to Jennifier Huntsman, the Rules Coordinator for the OLCC, at jennifer.huntsman@state.or.us.
Comments
I'm against kids at the shows that I go to...
Then, in the end, if the places you tend to go to start having all-ages shows, you're shit out of luck.
Too bad, so sad.
And then the clubs will revert back to 21+, because you forget that they really sell drinks and not music.
Schting - it's been said before, but it deserves repeating: the new Number VI minor posting that would allow venues, theaters, bowlig alleys and the like to admit people under 21 under very controlled conditions, would be voluntary.
You are right that venues make their money on alcohol sales, and for this reasons most such places will have no interest in obtaining a Minor VI posting or putting on all-ages events. They are very comfortable and secure in their business model and won't want the headache. They will remain closed to people under 21, which is their right.
On the other hand, a limited number of venues and art spaces which are particularly interested in community,] and arts for their own sake, and whose owners remember and understand how important going to shows was to them as teenagers, will be interested in a Minor VI posting and hosting all-ages events. These places will apply for them.
There is no reason to fear that suddenly every music venue in Oregon - particularly the ones that you think look and feel like bars - will begin admitting minors. They won't.
As for where you can or can't stand, most venues in town that are currently unposted and admit people under 21, don't relegate drinking patrons to the back. They split the venue. There is also the potential for systems found in other states involving wristbanding that allow people to stand where they like, while still ensuring that underage people don't drink.
This would be a tremendously positive development for Oregon's young people and musicians.
OK, I could see something like that working out Cary. Some people go to bars to get away from kids and as long as that stays, I'm all for it.
I sent one of those emails!
I think schting just violated some blogging rule. That's not how you're supposed to argue online.
I sent one of those emails long ago. Schting, I'm glad to see your change of heart.. remember that you were a kid once too and that not all people under 21 are obnoxious or jerks.. they're people!
Amber-
Glad to hear that you sent one of those emails. However, because the OLCC voted down the proposal in December, and then reopened it in 2008, all of the comments that came on from the public are now off the record.
If you haven't written in to the OLCC in 2008, you need to do so again for your letter to count. We have a new sample email, as well as some other updated information, at the PDX Pop Now! OLCC page - www.pdxpopnow.com/olcc
Oh! And the deadline for sending in an email to the OLCC in support of the proposal is March 7. Spread the word.
www.pdxpopnow.com/olcc
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I'm against kids at the shows that I go to, that's why they're in bars. Those all ages venues used to reserve the worst seats for the highest paying customers, the drinkers. (LaLuna) Besides, it'll give them something to look forward too and can't they throw a house party?