Beef

NIMBYs, Worrywarts, and Killjoys Crack Down on Trucks, Gardens, Underage Drinking, and Street Fairs

Will gardens like this one be forced to close earlier?
Will gardens like this one be forced to close earlier? Photo: Courtesy of Brooklyn Social

Councilwoman Jessica Lappin has been getting a lot of flack for her attempted crackdown on food trucks (in its coverage of yesterday’s council meeting, the Post reports that it was the Paty’s Tacos truck that set her off), but she’s just one member of the fun police in the news today. The following folks really want you to just stay home and brew some Twinings tonight.

• State Assemblywoman Joan L. Millman wants to pass legislation requiring bars that are within 500 feet of residential buildings to close their backyards (and rooftops below ten stories) at 11 p.m. on weekends and 10 p.m. on weekdays.
• Senator Jeff Klein held a press conference with NYPD and SLA officials and announced, “We are going to crack down on those who sell alcohol to minors and also on those who sell them phony IDs.”
• West Village block association member Kathryn Donaldson has made it her goal to prevent more bars and restaurants from opening in the area.

Meanwhile, restaurateurs are up in arms, too. Via its website, Terroir is protesting the “321 fairs that contributed a big, fat zero to New York City life” last year. And B.R. Guest honcho Steve Hanson is cracking down on, well, his own bartenders: Addressing earlier rumors, he tells the Post, “We gave each bartender a letter saying they understand how serious underage drinking is, and had them sign it. It also says if we did send spotters or underage kids in and they serve them, they would be terminated.”

Fun. Fun. Fun.

Ban Street Fairs [Terroir via Eater]
Underage Drinking is a Summer Plague [NYDN]
Card Crackdown at NYC Bars [NYP]
Outside Drinkers Could Face Early Last Call [WSJ]
Shut the truck up! [NYP]
‘It’s just the way I am’; Quality of life is her life [The Villager]

NIMBYs, Worrywarts, and Killjoys Crack Down on Trucks, Gardens, Underage