ONEIDA COUNTY -- An Oneida County legislator wants to change the rules for bars in the county. It could mean extra business for bars and extra revenue for the county. The new proposal would keep the lights on a little later at The Electric Company and all the bars in Oneida County. County legislator Larry Tanoury is proposing to change the county law so bars can stay open until 4am. He says is could be the budget fix the county has been waiting for.
Tanoury says, "We're looking at the toughest budget year ever next year in Oneida County and we've really run out of ways to raise revenue."
Besides that, he says allowing bars to stay open later could attract a younger crowd to the area and he believes it could make Oneida County a nighttime destination.
"I think it's time to have the discussion. It would give us the competitive edge in Oneida County," said Tanoury.
At the Nail Creek Pub, the owner says he's not sure if he would stay open later, but would like to have the option.
Owner Chris Talgo said, "I've certainly got some patrons that work the night shift and can't get here until 1am anyway for one or two beers then they have to go. So that would be good for them."
Bar patron Pete Mazloom doesn't think there is much difference between closing at 2am and 4am. He said, "People could go out at 6pm at night and be drunk by 8pm and have bad judgement. It's about being responsible with the options you have."
Others disagree and think it's not a good plan for the county to raise revenue.
Resident Connie Battles said, "There are other ways to make it instead of having people drink so much at night and causing themselves problems. There are other ways to do it safer."
The county attorney is drawing up the law and the legislator hopes there is a vote on it before the end of the year and the end of his term.
