Regarding the sale of liquor in the City

This letter is in response to the article: "City Commission to decide bar closing times."

Each year for the Winter Music Conference (WMC) the Commission, led by Mr. Sarnoff approves a 72-hour continuous serving hour extension for numerous venues in downtown Miami. These events have nothing to do with the WMC, they are out of State promoters who come to Miami and throw big raves.

This year the commission once again will vote to give the Ice Palace a 72-hour extension to serve alcohol. However the Ice Palace holds no such liquor license. There is a loophole in Florida law that allows any venue to sell alcohol if you hire a caterer. Anyone can use this loophole. Want to throw a rave, call a caterer first. Own a business in the Grove and want to sell alcohol; call a caterer.

The law clearly states they can only extend the hours if it is a licensed venue. "The city commission may extend the above hours of sale for alcoholic beverages for consumption on or off the premises on special occasions by resolution." The words above hours clearly indicate that the law is only to be used for the type of venues listed in the law. Unlicensed warehouses would not qualify for the extension. The city attorney last year ignored my request to clarify.

How can Mr. Sarnoff champion the cause of shutting down alcohol establishments to protect the welfare of the city and it's citizens but on the other hand he'll dole out extensions to out of town rave promoters in warehouses who hold no liquor license that use loopholes? Would he grant a 72-hour extension for a warehouse in the Grove that holds no liquor license? They purposely don't put the extension vote on the agenda; the public has no notice and can't object. The legitimate venues are powerless, if they object they fear repercussions from the Commission.

The raves start this Thursday the same day as the vote! As for MADD and the supporters of Mr. Sarnoff, they lack any credibility; you can't have it both ways. Many probably didn’t know about these raves, but now they know, no more excuses, it’s time to hold the city commission and the city attorney accountable.

Nick Carretta
Ft. Lauderdale