State Senator Daniel Squadron, along with just about every other elected official downtown, is organizing a “Nightlife Town Hall” next Thursday night, February 4th, at P.S. 20. Dennis Rosen, the relatively new chair of the embattled State Liquor Authority is expected to attend, along with SLA CEO Trina Meade and NYPD officials.
Back in October, Squadron set up a smaller meeting with elected officials and community board members to meet Rosen and discuss some of their top concerns. At a hearing in Albany this week, Rosen pledged to clear the SLA’s liquor license backlog by October of this year. During the session on the Lower East Side last fall, he got an earful from participants about the SLA’s antiquated way of doing business and its unresponsiveness to community concerns.
Following the October meeting, Squadron promised to followup with the town hall – and to hold the new chair accountable:
When I voted to confirm Chairman Rosen, I made it clear how important it is that he make understanding community
concerns a priority. (This) meeting was an important step towards the SLA showing a true commitment to engaging with the community, and I look forward to continuing to work with Chairman Rosen and the community to facilitate an ongoing dialogue.”
Last month, during a CB3 meeting, District manager Susan Stetzer told Squadron dealing with the SLA was still very diffcult. Next week’s town hall is sure to be a lively affair. Neighborhood activists, who have taken a stand against the proliferation of bars, as well as bar/restaurant owners who believe they’ve been unfairly targeted are certain to show up in force.
The meeting takes place next Thursday at P.S. 20, 166 Essex Street, 630pm. For more information contact Mary Cooley in Senator Squadron’s office: mcooley@senate.state.ny.us.
