The state is NOT paying for adequate patrolling at any other time, making each of us an innocent target of DRUNKS.
Beacon Hill lacked the spine to simply say NO! to the Gambling Industry and created this disaster.
How much carnage is enough?
Governor Slot Barns Patrick refused to take a stand.
Failed roadways. Inadequate patrolling. Inadequate funding. Failure to prosecute and revoke liquor licenses. That's today.
Freetown, 1-08-12
Avon, 7-14-12
A car rests on its side near the Route 139 exit on the northbound side of Route 24 after a rollover accident in which a 12-year-old girl was killed on Thursday.
Read more: http://www.enterprisenews.com/breaking/x1975584870/Multiple-people-ejected-in-rush-hour-crash-on-Rt-24#ixzz23RtjmKUD
7-15-12, State police have confirmed that two people have died in a three car crash in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts.
4-25-11, Fall River Rollover Crash Kills One
1 killed in crash on Rt 24 in Freetown Two others injured in single-car crash near Exit 9
‘Happy Hour’ debate brewing
Restaurants air concerns over casinos’ free drinks
By Donna Goodison
Monday, August 13, 2012
Monday, August 13, 2012
The state is weighing whether Massachusetts’ 28-year-old “happy hour law” — which bans bars and restaurants pouring free, discounted or two-for-one alcoholic beverages — should be updated so they can better compete when casinos open here with the ability to serve free booze.
While restaurant trade groups and some liquor license holders support more flexibility in offering discounts, most contacted by the Herald don’t want a return to the days of drink specials of the late ’70s and early ’80s. Others, including Mothers Against Drunk Driving, say they’re content with the current law.
“Do I want to go back to the days of two-for-ones and happy hour? No, not really, but in terms of competitive advantage, that should be up to the individual operators’ discretion,” said John Grasso, president of the Halfway Cafe chain of six restaurants. “Our industry is under siege, and (free drinks at casinos) is just another nail in the coffin. There is an unfair playing advantage with that.”
While restaurant trade groups and some liquor license holders support more flexibility in offering discounts, most contacted by the Herald don’t want a return to the days of drink specials of the late ’70s and early ’80s. Others, including Mothers Against Drunk Driving, say they’re content with the current law.
“Do I want to go back to the days of two-for-ones and happy hour? No, not really, but in terms of competitive advantage, that should be up to the individual operators’ discretion,” said John Grasso, president of the Halfway Cafe chain of six restaurants. “Our industry is under siege, and (free drinks at casinos) is just another nail in the coffin. There is an unfair playing advantage with that.”
The Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission will hold a hearing in Boston on Aug. 21 — one of five across the state — to solicit public feedback. The casino bill passed last year requires the ABCC to complete a study by Jan. 31 of whether the happy hour law should be updated or amended.
The ABCC declined comment other than to say its evaluation is a “comprehensive and open process,” and all public comments will be considered.
The happy hour law was enacted in part to prevent intoxicated people from being over-served and driving under the influence.
“At the time, that was something that MADD really fought for,” spokesman David DeIuliis said.
The Massachusetts Restaurant Association last year opposed a provision in the Senate version of the casino bill, later removed, that would have granted parity to restaurants and bars, giving them the ability to offer the same alcohol service — i.e., free drinks — as those granted to casinos.
“Proponents for the happy hour are saying that if they were able to do two-for-ones and things like that, they would be able to better compete with the casinos, and we disagree,” said Peter Christie, CEO of the restaurant group. “If you think you can compete with a casino on price, you’re making a huge mistake. You can’t compete with free.”
On the other hand, the Restaurant and Business Alliance supports relaxing a current requirement that forces establishments offering discounted drinks to keep that low price — which must cover their cost — for a full week. President David Andelman said two-day specials could spark sales on slow days.
“This would give restaurants the flexibility, for instance, to do $3 drafts Monday and Tuesday nights, or $5 glasses of wine,” said Andelman, who’s also CEO of Phantom Gourmet. “This would be an excellent way to help level the playing field and to help generate more income taxes and more meals taxes without jeopardizing public safety.”
But restaurateur Jeff Gates says casinos’ bigger threat is their ability to drive up payroll costs for already hard-to-find hospitality workers.
“I don’t feel there should be an arms race in alcohol, driving prices down to the lowest level,” said Gates, a partner in the Aquitaine Group, which owns six restaurants “I don’t think that’s going to be healthy for anybody.”
http://bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061152701
State police patrols nab 8 more drunken drivers
Read more: http://www.enterprisenews.com/topstories/x181548676/State-Police-nabbed-8-drunk-drivers-2-drug-traffickers-during-weekend-patrol-surge#ixzz23WVlsfTR
The ABCC declined comment other than to say its evaluation is a “comprehensive and open process,” and all public comments will be considered.
The happy hour law was enacted in part to prevent intoxicated people from being over-served and driving under the influence.
“At the time, that was something that MADD really fought for,” spokesman David DeIuliis said.
The Massachusetts Restaurant Association last year opposed a provision in the Senate version of the casino bill, later removed, that would have granted parity to restaurants and bars, giving them the ability to offer the same alcohol service — i.e., free drinks — as those granted to casinos.
“Proponents for the happy hour are saying that if they were able to do two-for-ones and things like that, they would be able to better compete with the casinos, and we disagree,” said Peter Christie, CEO of the restaurant group. “If you think you can compete with a casino on price, you’re making a huge mistake. You can’t compete with free.”
On the other hand, the Restaurant and Business Alliance supports relaxing a current requirement that forces establishments offering discounted drinks to keep that low price — which must cover their cost — for a full week. President David Andelman said two-day specials could spark sales on slow days.
“This would give restaurants the flexibility, for instance, to do $3 drafts Monday and Tuesday nights, or $5 glasses of wine,” said Andelman, who’s also CEO of Phantom Gourmet. “This would be an excellent way to help level the playing field and to help generate more income taxes and more meals taxes without jeopardizing public safety.”
But restaurateur Jeff Gates says casinos’ bigger threat is their ability to drive up payroll costs for already hard-to-find hospitality workers.
“I don’t feel there should be an arms race in alcohol, driving prices down to the lowest level,” said Gates, a partner in the Aquitaine Group, which owns six restaurants “I don’t think that’s going to be healthy for anybody.”
http://bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061152701
State police patrols nab 8 more drunken drivers
BROCKTON —
State police nabbed eight drunken drivers and two drug traffickers this weekend – the third week of its “patrol surge” on Route 24 and I-195.
Troopers also issued seven criminal summonses and 272 motor vehicle citations.
State police announced on July 26 they were nearly tripling patrols on Route 24 and I-195 on Friday and Saturday nights through September, after recent fatal crashes on Route 24.
The Routes 24/195 “patrol surge” deploys 11 additional patrols from 8 p.m. Friday night to 4 a.m. Saturday morning and again from 8 p.m. Saturday to 4 a.m. Sunday.
The eight arrested drunken drivers included Edward Cerruti, 44, of East Weymouth, stopped on Route 24 northbound in Berkley and charged with operating under the influence of alcohol, third offense, as well as James Delaney, 24, of Raynham, Bruce W. Baker, 45, of Middleboro, David Gajewski, 43, of New Bedford, Benjamin A. Vandal, 28, of New Bedford, Erin Carrig, 27, of Portsmouth, R.I., Andrew D. Baum, 28, of Warren and Majed M. Alrahmawi, 41, of Plymouth.
Troopers also stopped a Camry being driven 90 mph in a 55 mph zone and found 530 bags of heroin and a bag of unpackaged heroin. Keith M. Boucher, 36, of Wareham, and Jonathan B. Rose, 20, of Bourne were each was charged with trafficking in heroin and conspiracy to violate drug laws.
State police will continue the extra patrols through the end of September.
Troopers also issued seven criminal summonses and 272 motor vehicle citations.
State police announced on July 26 they were nearly tripling patrols on Route 24 and I-195 on Friday and Saturday nights through September, after recent fatal crashes on Route 24.
The Routes 24/195 “patrol surge” deploys 11 additional patrols from 8 p.m. Friday night to 4 a.m. Saturday morning and again from 8 p.m. Saturday to 4 a.m. Sunday.
The eight arrested drunken drivers included Edward Cerruti, 44, of East Weymouth, stopped on Route 24 northbound in Berkley and charged with operating under the influence of alcohol, third offense, as well as James Delaney, 24, of Raynham, Bruce W. Baker, 45, of Middleboro, David Gajewski, 43, of New Bedford, Benjamin A. Vandal, 28, of New Bedford, Erin Carrig, 27, of Portsmouth, R.I., Andrew D. Baum, 28, of Warren and Majed M. Alrahmawi, 41, of Plymouth.
Troopers also stopped a Camry being driven 90 mph in a 55 mph zone and found 530 bags of heroin and a bag of unpackaged heroin. Keith M. Boucher, 36, of Wareham, and Jonathan B. Rose, 20, of Bourne were each was charged with trafficking in heroin and conspiracy to violate drug laws.
State police will continue the extra patrols through the end of September.
Read more: http://www.enterprisenews.com/topstories/x181548676/State-Police-nabbed-8-drunk-drivers-2-drug-traffickers-during-weekend-patrol-surge#ixzz23WVlsfTR
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