P.A.C.A.G.: Renewing our mission...

[Jim Price]

As outdoor activities are starting to slow down and everything is heading back indoors for another year, I propose we reconvene P.A.C.A.G., reassess what we've learned and accomplished thus far, and plot our courses of action pertaining to legislation impacting live music.

There are a number of things to consider. Although our efforts to persuade state legislators to take up the battle for changing the noise provisions of the Liquor Code have slowed down with the summer months, we have learned a few things through the course of our efforts thus far. Although not a P.A.C.A.G.-initiated action, Burgi's Roundhouse's recent success in obtaining permission to run live music outside their establishment has shown that one possible course of action to tackle noise issues is to take the battle to specific municipalities where the problem is prevalent, and perhaps work towards getting local municipalities' noise laws to take precedence over the PLCB provisions. We can still pursue the long term goal of having the PLCB noise provision itself changed; but examining the short term solution of tackling the problem from the local level might provide a more immediate course of action to consider.

Also, Election Day is coming up in November. We know by now that Senator Jubelirer is a lame duck whose days in office are numbered, and that his replacement will be either John Eichelberger or Greg Morris. Do we know specifically where these candidates stand or may stand on noise issues? (Morris is a former nightclub owner, so it would appear that he might be more sympathetic to our objectives; but Eichelberger will likely win the seat come Nov. 7.) Establishing initial contact with these candidates and letting them know that our organization exists might be a good first step.

We've made some progress in the first year the P.A.C.A.G. has been together, and now would be a good time to get the ball rolling again. We know full well that LCE isn't taking time off from their "zero-tolerance" enforcement of Liquor Code noise provisions, so we need to pick the ball back up and start to move forward with this once again.

I'd like to propose a meeting for sometime in October to re-establish our organization's mission and goals, and to begin to discuss our next courses of action. This can also be an opportunity to attract new members interested in working to monitor and change laws impacting live music.

Let's get the ball rolling again!

[Banned]

Hey Jim,
I'm totally supportive of the cause, yet there's just no way I can attend any meetings. I usually get my info from other members of the group.

Anyway, can you give me a link to what the current LCE rules are as of right now. My father grew up with several politicians here in Johnstown, and I'd like to print out some copies of the current regulations and give them to him and find out what some of these Johnstown people/politicians stand for and what they might do to help.

[onetooloud]

Meeting Date set for Tuesday Oct. 3 2006 7:00 Magoos

[Big Jim]

Here's a question:

Has any band had difficulty recently with a noise violation warning, or is anyone aware of a bar that has currently had problems?

If not, that is good news. Maybe the organization in place (P.A.C.A.G.) has helped that. But, let's not resign from our efforts, because the problem could reappear.

Please post any difficulties, so we will know where to begin. And, if possible, attend the meeting.

[Jim Price]

bugglez24 wrote:

Anyway, can you give me a link to what the current LCE rules are as of right now.

Here is a link to the Pennsylvania Liquor Code:

http://www.lcb.state.pa.us/plcb/cwp/vie ... 4&Q=546255

And here is a link to the state's Bureau of Liquor Enforcement (LCE):

http://www.psp.state.pa.us/blce/site/default.asp

[onetooloud]

The Trackside Inn in Cresson has had issues with this in the recent past.

I stopped in and told them of our quest. I don't know if the right people got the message or not.

[Jim Price]

I just got word today that the R-Bar in Hyde (outside of Clearfield) got busted twice for noise violations, and has had to cancel some entertainment. I am in the process of getting them to report what exactly happened, so we can have some substantive information to use for future reference.