By BOB GARDINIER, Staff writer Wednesday, August 15, 2007
RENSSELAER -- There could be some fireworks at the Common Council meeting tonight as elected officials are poised to pass a law banning alcohol from the volunteer areas of all firehouses.
The controversy began last month when the State Liquor Authority found that alcohol was illegally sold without a license in the social areas of two of the city's three volunteer firehouses.
In reaction to the controversy, elected officials will take up a resolution tonight that would ban alcohol from all city-owned or occupied buildings, according to the agenda.
Authority officials made unannounced visits to the social rooms of the Rensselaer City Fire Department houses at 959 Broadway, 31 Second Ave. and 42 Partition St., city and state officials have said.
State officials gave the city a warning to stop the practice.
Inspections showed alcoholic beverages were being sold by agents of the city in at least two of the buildings. Alcohol is allowed in the private community rooms for members consumption, but the department and the city would need a liquor license in order to sell it, state officials have said.
In volunteer fire departments, the existence of social rooms with bars, often upstairs over the garage area where firefighters await calls, is an old tradition and a part of the community fabric, especially in small towns.
Some volunteer fire fighters believe the law goes too far and will likely speak out in opposition tonight, officials have said.
The Liquor Authority's investigation was triggered by complaints it received about the operations of the bars from neighbors near one of the firehouses. Officials said there was problems with volunteers inviting too many nonmembers into the bars to socialize.
Well, this is a 'no brainer'. I mean really, just think about it, alchohol at a fire station. It's not the Elks or any other little boys club.
Remember guys/girls, this is the place you go when that loud sirien goes off and scares the b-Jesus outta everyone. The place you go to slide down that slippery pole and put on those big rubber boots and rubber coat and big hat. And the place you go to get into that big red shinny truck that drives at top speed with lights-a-flashin' and sirens-a-blowin'. All to save lives and property for the people who trust you.
Clearly, it's not a place to drink, play cards, watch tv, work out or have bachelor parties. That is not what the taxpayers are paying for. You can go to your friends basements, bars or any of those 'good little boys/girls' clubs to do that.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Inspections showed alcoholic beverages were being sold by agents of the city in at least two of the buildings. Alcohol is allowed in the private community rooms for members consumption, but the department and the city would need a liquor license in order to sell it, state officials have said.
What is it all about folks???? $$$
We do vote with our pocketbooks.......
This must be in response to the---what political party?? that is gaining steam....aren't the firefighters the Independence party??
Hopefully the guy/gal reaching your home to put out the fire isn't gassed up enough to light up themselves.....but, hey if ya wanna be less safe, be my guest, it's your body and life......I'm sure the firefighters are not ignorant----
however the government tends(likes) to like to keep the sheeple in the dumb house---whether it be for the poor kids, the working stiff, the poor moms, etc etc........they think they ride some kind of white horse......
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
the department and the city would need a liquor license in order to sell it,
Well the city clearly will not have a problem obtaining a liquor license since it is all one big government pot!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
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