What the …? A St. Louis-area town is considering a bill that would ban swearing in bars, along with table-dancing, drinking contests and profane music.
PRESS RELEASE
Monday, January 14, 2008
For Immediate Release
Contact: Councilman Richard Veit (636) 328-7252
Joint Statement from Saint Charles City Councilman Richard Veit and Marc Rousseau, Proprietor, R.T. Weiler’s
The City of St. Charles has an honored reputation for offering countless festivals and events to meet a wide assortment of tastes. Each year St. Charles hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors who make their way to events ranging from The Festival of The Little Hills to Hot Summer Nights and from Music on Main to the Mosaics Art Festival.? People come for the art, crafts, dining, entertainment, and the most unique and welcoming historic district west of the Mississippi.
?
A sincere desire to preserve the safe and fun environment of our historic city prompted the introduction of Ordinance 9527, which proposed many significant changes to our liquor license rules.
?
We are now both satisfied that Ordinance 9527 as recently amended does not infringe on First Amendment rights of free speech.? This is because the following language:
“nor shall any licensee or his/her employees allow any indecent, profane or obscene language, song, entertainment, literature or advertising material upon the premises.”
?has been deleted.
?
We remain concerned that this same language is still contained in the Missouri Code of State Regulations and applicable to our establishments in St. Charles as well as throughout Missouri.
?
We join in asking the Attorney General of Missouri to give an official opinion that answers the following questions:
?
First, does the language contained in 11 CSR 70-2.130(13)(A) which states in part:
“nor shall any licensee or his/her employees allow any indecent, profane or obscene language, song, entertainment, literature or advertising material upon the licensed? premises”
violate free speech rights granted by the U.S. and Missouri Constitutions?
?
Second, under what circumstances could this provision be used against a liquor licensee (i.e. bar owner) to suspend or revoke his/her liquor license?
?
Third, does this provision restrict the use of certain language by performers in establishments that serve alcohol?? And if so, what language does it prohibit?
?
We look forward to having these questions answered.? In the meantime, we continue to welcome everyone to exercise their First Amendment Rights to Assemble in our Historic City of Saint Charles and particularly at the establishments on our Historic Main Street.
The City of St. Charles has an honored reputation for offering countless festivals and events to meet a wide assortment of tastes. Each year St. Charles hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors who make their way to events ranging from The Festival of The Little Hills to Hot Summer Nights and from Music on Main to the Mosaics Art Festival.? People come for the art, crafts, dining, entertainment, and the most unique and welcoming historic district west of the Mississippi.
?
A sincere desire to preserve the safe and fun environment of our historic city prompted the introduction of Ordinance 9527, which proposed many significant changes to our liquor license rules.
?
We are now both satisfied that Ordinance 9527 as recently amended does not infringe on First Amendment rights of free speech.? This is because the following language:
“nor shall any licensee or his/her employees allow any indecent, profane or obscene language, song, entertainment, literature or advertising material upon the premises.”
?has been deleted.
?
We remain concerned that this same language is still contained in the Missouri Code of State Regulations and applicable to our establishments in St. Charles as well as throughout Missouri.
?
We join in asking the Attorney General of Missouri to give an official opinion that answers the following questions:
?
First, does the language contained in 11 CSR 70-2.130(13)(A) which states in part:
“nor shall any licensee or his/her employees allow any indecent, profane or obscene language, song, entertainment, literature or advertising material upon the licensed? premises”
violate free speech rights granted by the U.S. and Missouri Constitutions?
?
Second, under what circumstances could this provision be used against a liquor licensee (i.e. bar owner) to suspend or revoke his/her liquor license?
?
Third, does this provision restrict the use of certain language by performers in establishments that serve alcohol?? And if so, what language does it prohibit?
?
We look forward to having these questions answered.? In the meantime, we continue to welcome everyone to exercise their First Amendment Rights to Assemble in our Historic City of Saint Charles and particularly at the establishments on our Historic Main Street.
But if I go outside, I might offend the smokers
Proposal would ban swearing in bars
St. Louis-area town considers proposal that would ban swearing in bars
Proposal would ban swearing in bars
St. Louis-area town considers proposal that would ban swearing in bars
Jan. 8, 2008
ST. CHARLES, Mo. — What the …? A St. Louis-area town is considering a bill that would ban swearing in bars, along with table-dancing, drinking contests and profane music.
City officials contend the bill is needed to keep rowdy crowds under control because the historic downtown area gets a little too lively on some nights.
City Councilman Richard Veit said he was prompted to propose the bill after complaints about bad bar behavior. He says it will give police some rules to enforce when things get too rowdy.
But some bar owners worry the bill is too vague and restrictive, saying it may be a violation of their civil rights.
Marc Rousseau, who owns the bar R.T. Weilers, said he thinks the bill needs revision.
“We’re dealing with adults here once again and I don’t think it’s the city’s job or the government’s job to determine what we can and cannot play in our restaurant,” Rousseau said.
The proposal would ban indecent, profane or obscene language, songs, entertainment and literature at bars.
A meeting to discuss the proposal is set for Jan. 14.
