We’ve heard that the Louisiana Senate will vote on SB 136 today in their afternoon session, which starts at 3 pm. Obviously that doesn’t allow much time to let our voices be heard, but if you’ve got a minute to call your senator before 3pm and voice your support for SB 136 that would be a big help. Click here and type in your address to get the contact information for your senator.
Thanks!
Yesterday was a big first step in getting SB 136 passed by the Louisiana state legislature. Thanks to all of you that showed up for the hearing, contacted a member of the committee and/or signed the petition (which you can still do if you haven’t yet). The senators on the committee appeared to be very interested in ironing out the ambiguities of the law and their questions to those testifying were very interesting to hear and showed that they had done their homework on the matter.
The Advocate has a good article on yesterday’s hearing here and also does a good job of summing up the specifiics of SB 136 and what it hopes to accomplish. You can read it here. We’ll have more information on what you can continue to do to help in the next few days.
Thanks again for all of your support. We’re almost there!
Friends and Supporters:
The first (of at least four) votes is coming up at 9:30am on Tuesday, May 19th - a mere 5 days away! It will be heard in Senate Committee - Judiciary B. WE NEED YOU THERE! The magic of democracy in Louisiana only EVER happens when we pack a committee room with supporters (or opponents) and let the legislators know what we expect. Without that presence, we typically always fail. So we are counting on YOU to be there on Tuesday morning much as many were there for support in court. The main differences this time are that:
*Special Note: This particular fight is larger than Chelsea’s and many other groups and interests are involved. We may end up having pins or buttons for solidarity, but this time, NO T-SHIRTS please.
SO HERE’S WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU (more…)
Judge Trudy White ruled in favor of petitioner Remmeter, L.L.C. today in his effort to secure a temporary restraining order (T.R.O.) or injunction to enjoin (prohibit by judicial order) the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control from enforcing the suspension of Chelsea’s alcohol license. She also required a $1,500.00 (refundable) bond be posted by Remmeter, L.L.C. to ensure compliance with her judgment pending outcome of the appeal. That $1,500.00 is not punitive in nature. A new trial date has not yet been set. Counsel for Remmeter, L.L.C. has 72 hours to submit a judgment for White to sign, they’ll then look at the docket, set a date and prepare for trial. In the meantime, we lobby for passage of SB 136, we let our elected officials (State Representatives, Senators, Mayor, Planning and Zoning Commissioners and the Metro Council) know our thoughts and our position on all of this. Then we tell our friends and we share food, drink, music and merriment at Chelsea’s Cafe!
Well done Dave Remmeter, Brandon Brown, Judge Trudy White and all of you who continue to support this cause! Justice was served.
Update from Dave Remmetter (Chelsea’s Owner): Though Chelsea’s has posted the required bond, we still have not been re-issued our liquor license. Therefore, we will not be able to sell alcoholic drinks for up to 72 hours (possibly sooner). Please stay tuned for an update, but as of right now, Chelsea’s cannot yet sell any alcoholic beverages.
As of noon the hearing of Remmetter LLC vs. State of LA is in the testimony phase. We are staying as up to date as we can via twitter and text messages, but people are having to come and go so updates are spotty. We’ll let you know as soon as we hear a decision is reached and advise on what future plans that mandates for the I ♥ Chelsea’s community. Thanks to everyone that’s following along and showing a lot of interest.
It’s a beautiful and busy weekend in and around Baton Rouge with both FestForAll and JazzFest in full swing. Hopefully you’ve got the opportunity to get out and enjoy some of the things that makes living in Baton Rouge, and Louisiana as a whole, so enjoyable: great music, great food and great friends. Chelsea’s is a big player in bringing those things to our community, as well as sustaining them. With that in mind, please keep putting the word out about the Chelsea’s situation, the hearing on Monday, this website, etc.
We’ve compiled a list of talking points that are helpful in remembering what is most important for people to know about the issues surrounding Chelsea’s licensing/zoning woes. We also have a flier for the CARE ride to the Courthouse on Monday at 7:30 am that gives a good synopsis. Feel free to download the pdf, print some out and pass them around!
Also, a number of us will be camped out under a I♥Chelseas flag (it’s the same as the logo/banner above) during Neil Young tomorrow at JazzFest. If you’re at JazzFest on Sunday, join us there if you can!
Thanks!