Politics is a savage and convoluted game. Sometimes, it’s hard to tell who’s being screwed and who’s doing the screwing. That’s why it’s important for someone to maintain a sense of reason amidst the flood of bullshit.
Last Thursday, the Seattle Nightlife and Music Association (SNMA) e-mailed a letter to the Mayor’s Nightlife Task Force (which, in addition to neighborhood representatives and other nonmusic stakeholders, includes several club owners who are also active with the SNMA), citing its distaste for the mayor’s current nightlife proposal. Among other things, this proposal would force bar, restaurant, and club owners to clean up litter on adjacent properties, abide by strict noise requirements, and patrol within 100 feet of the club for criminal activity.
The letter, signed by a handful of prominent local club owners, expresses general disappointment that a “more comprehensive” approach to nightlife has not been taken. And considering the issue is one involving more than just club owners (it also involves neighbors and the goddamn cops), the point couldn’t be driven home any harder.
Here’s a quick rundown of some of the SNMA’s most salient reactions to the proposal:
•The definition of a nightclub should be any venue serving liquor that has “amplified” live entertainment past 10 p.m. Any “theatre” exemption should be removed.
•A sound violation should apply only to amplified sound emanating from an establishment.
•It is “excessively punitive” for the city to revoke a nightclub’s license for a single violation (litter cleanup).
•Just because the mayor’s office sees a handful of clubs as problematic doesn’t mean the entire nightlife industry should be subject to such strict regulation.
•It is foolish to force clubs to clean up litter “not of their making nor on their property” and to patrol “off-premise areas at closing.”
•The city is given too much authority to impose “excessive and unnecessary conditions” on nightclub license applicants.
What is perhaps most compelling is that the SNMA recognizes that it shares a common goal with the mayor’s office: for Seattle to have a “safe and vibrant nightlife.” When I spoke with SNMA lobbyist Tim Hatley after his client handed in its recommendations, he seemed upbeat about the fact that the SNMA had at least made a primary move.
“Some elements I think [the task force] will support,” he said. “Others they won’t. And at that point, it will be up to the SNMA membership to decide whether that’s something they’re willing to entertain or not.”
At least now the ball is rolling.
