Excuse me but I have to jump in here. Any bar that sells products to minors, is breaking the law and it is not a victimless crime. First, there is the young adults who are victims. If Terra Villa does not follow the law and card these individuals then it should suffer the consequence. Secondly, if those said underaged drinkers get into a car, we are all at risk. You the jogger, the children playing ball, the bicycle riders. We should not put up with this in our neighborhood. To state that someone who is concerned about our young adults being served illegally in bars is "full of the themselves is a despicable thing to say. If Terry Villa is guilty of these crimes, then Mrs. McGuire's request that others make that known to the authorities is the "right" thing to do. No matter how long a a bar/restaurant has been in business, it must follow the rules, just as we must. There are always consequences for breaking the law. All that Mrs. McGuire was asking was that if this had happened to anyone else, for them to come forward. She didn't ask anyone to make up anything. Thank you for your time. And please, if you know of other incidents call the numbers suggested in the earlier email. LeeAnn Wagner Cica On Feb 1, 2005, at 3:15 PM, Kimberly Adams wrote:
C'mon folks we are treading in shallow water. First of all, since we are all judgmental, the word "nuisance" needs to have a criteria attached with it -- otherwise it is a recipe for profiling -- racial or otherwise.
For example, I could call Tazzo D'oro "the coffee bar" a nuisance -- due to the sidewalk being blocked when I choose to jog my route. But I won't because I love having the option of stopping in and having a bold one.
I don't go into any of the bars around here -- or anywhere. I just don't want to see anyone's enterprise threatened because we have become a little full of ourselves.
Terra Villa has been in the area long before most of us -- at least for the 20 odd years that I've lived in the park. Probably longer than most us on this "very cool list.
Thank you.
Kimberly Adams, Communications Manager Sustainable Pittsburgh 425 Sixth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15219 p: (412) 258-6646 f: (412) 258-6645 kadams@sustainablepittsburgh.org www.sustainablepittsburgh.org Sustainable Pittsburgh is a public-policy advocacy group that links economic prosperity, ecological health and social equity.
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-----Original Message----- From: neighborhood-bounces@highlandpark.pgh.pa.us [mailto:neighborhood-bounces@highlandpark.pgh.pa.us] On Behalf Of Brackney, Rashall Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2005 12:38 PM To: Marcie McGuire; neighborhood@highlandpark.pgh.pa.us Cc: McBurney, John Subject: RE: [Highland Park] Liquor license renewals for Highland Park
If Terry Villa has a reputation in the community for inappropriate or illegal alcohol sales, they can be added to the Nuisance Bar Task Force. But like Mrs. McGuire indicated reports need to be made. I can have the Task Force look at the Villa, and determine what additional steps we need to take to address the problem, but indeed the first step is reporting.
RaShall M. Brackney, Commander Zone Five Station Penn Circle West and Ansley Pittsburgh, Pa. 15206 (412) 665-3605
-----Original Message----- From: neighborhood-bounces@highlandpark.pgh.pa.us [mailto:neighborhood-bounces@highlandpark.pgh.pa.us] On Behalf Of Marcie McGuire Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2005 12:05 PM To: neighborhood@highlandpark.pgh.pa.us Subject: [Highland Park] Liquor license renewals for Highland Park
Dear Highland Park Neighbors:
This email is in response to Bob Staresinic's request to contact Jim Ferlo and Joe Preston's offices regarding the renewal of liquor licenses for Highland Park establishments.
My teenage son and his friends have purchased beer from Terry Villa on two occasions (I'm sure it has happened more). Both times my son had his car and came home drunk! As his parents, we have taken care of the drinking and driving issue with our son, however, the issue with Terry Villa is more difficult.
When I found out that Terry Villa was the source for my son and his friends, I called 911 to issue a report about the restaurant selling alcohol to minors (even the 911 dispatcher knew of Terry Villa's reputation and he's not from the East End). A police officer came to our house, took the report, but said there was nothing they could do about this establishment.
Long story short, I contacted the State Highway Patrol Liquor Control Enforcement Division and spoke to Officer McNair. Officer McNair went to Terry Villa under survelience, but did not catch them selling beer to minor's on the two or three visits she made there. Officer McNair also reported Terry Villa to the narcotics division for suspected drug activity.
I can't possibly be the only parent of a teenager from Highland Park who has had this problem with Terry Villa. I'm sure you have all heard things about this place. And yet, for many years, they have managed to slip under the radar. I just don't get why they haven't been shut down.
Please, if you or someone you know has had a similiar experience with Terry Villa, or if you are aware of such things going on there, I urge you to contact Jim Ferlo and Joe Preston and request that the liquor license of Terry Villa not be renewed. However, as Bob said, it has to be done this week.
I also urge you to contact Officer McNair at 412.548.2026. She is in the field most of the time, so you'll have to leave a voice mail with your concerns. It takes a while, but she will get back to you.
The more we report Terry Villa to those who can do something, the better our chances will be of keeping illegal beer (and possibly drug) sales out of our neighborhood. After all, our kid's lives are at stake.
Marcie McGuire
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