Ashland Halloween enforcement focuses on safety

Traditionally, Halloween is one of the most active holidays the City of Ashland encounters with thousands of costumed revelers celebrating in the plaza downtown.

The OLCC would like to remind businesses and Halloween goers to celebrate safely. As in years past, multiple law enforcement, public safety and regulatory agencies are coordinating their efforts to help ensure a safe atmosphere for celebrants and liquor serving businesses that cater to the attendees of Ashland’s annual, unsanctioned street party.

The Ashland Police Department, in coordination with the Medford Police Department, Jackson County Sheriffs Department, County Corrections Officers, Ashland Fire and Rescue and the OLCC has developed a multi-faceted operation to protect this year’s participants.

OLCC inspectors will accompany patrol officers to assist in the prevention of issues stemming from over-service to patrons and minors in the possession of alcohol in the expected party atmosphere. The Medford Regional OLCC office issued a letter to area licensees reiterating the agency’s expectations and suggested guidelines for a safe and successful evening.

“All of the enforcement and public safety agencies are working hard to make sure that Halloween is an enjoyable and safe holiday for everyone in Ashland,” says Matt Roberts, OLCC Inspector. “Ashland Detective Rick Spence deserves a lot of credit for organizing a joint DUII Saturation patrol.”

In addition to substantial foot patrols in the downtown area consisting of police officers from Ashland and Medford as well as OLCC Inspectors, the joint DUII Saturation Patrol with Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputies will be performed in the South County area from 9p.m. until 4a.m. Ashland Fire Rescue will be on hand throughout the evening to enforce occupancy loads ensuring safe operation for area business patrons and staff.

OLCC is open Friday, Oct. 16

Many state agencies are closed however, for mandatory furlough day

Tough economic times have severely reduced state revenues, forcing legislatures throughout the nation to make deep cuts in state budgets. Nearly half the states have found that temporary closures and furloughs are efficient ways to save previous tax dollars while preserving the important functions and services of state government.

OLCC employees (along with other agencies) will take as many as 14 unpaid furlough days during the biennium. As a result, we may be short-staffed at times and you may not always be able to reach someone. We apologize for any inconvenience this might cause. As an agency, we will strive to provide the best customer service we can under the circumstances and appreciate your patience during this time.

Furloughs – OLCC employees take up to 14 unpaid days off

The current recession has reduced state revenues, and has forced the Legislature to make deep cuts in agency budgets. Coping with reductions in revenues, the state of Oregon has mandated that OLCC employees (along with other agencies) take as many as 14 unpaid furlough days during the biennium.

As a result, we may be short-staffed at times and you may not always be able to reach someone. We apologize for any inconvenience this might cause. As an agency, we will strive to provide the best customer service we can under the circumstances and appreciate your patience during this time. We look forward to restoration of a full work schedule for all state employees when the economy improves.

OLCC wants your input

The OLCC is measuring how well it serves key customer groups by asking a set of standard questions, which all state agencies are required to ask. The OLCC has many key customer groups, and your response is important to provide a more complete picture of how the OLCC is doing.

Please take a moment to complete one of the Customer Service Surveys below. We sincerely appreciate your time and value any additional comments you may have. The surveys will close on Friday, August 14, 2009.

General Public - Customer Service Survey

For Liquor Licensees Only - Customer Service Survey

Campaign targets adults buying alcohol for teens

New campaign to prevent "shoulder tapping" kicks off this Tuesday, July 7, 2009

WHAT: “Alcohol for Teens? I Don’t Buy it!” Summer campaign kickoff to prevent shoulder tapping while creating heightened awareness of the dangers and penalties.

WHAT’S SHOULDER TAPPING? Teens asking adults to buy them alcohol. Also known as “Hey, Mister.” For example, teens outside a convenience store approach someone over 21 and ask the person to buy them beer. The person who does the buying could face up to a year in jail and more than $6,000 in fines.

MESSAGE TO ADULTS: Make the legal and healthy choice. Refuse to purchase alcohol for kids who shoulder tap. If your conscience doesn’t get to you, the law will.

WHERE: The Plaid Pantry Store on S.W. 45th and Vermont in Portland (across the street from the S.W. Community Center).

WHEN: 10 a.m. – Noon, Tuesday, July 7, 2009.

WHO:

• Teens will be hanging bottle tags with anti-shoulder tapping messages and displaying posters.
• Chris Girard, Plaid Pantry Stores President and Chief Executive Officer
• S.W. Portland Community Members
• Representatives from Oregon Partnership and the OLCC

SPONSORS:

• Oregon Partnership
• Oregon Liquor Control Commission
• “Face It, Parents” Campaign
• The National Alcohol Beverage Control Association

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Pete Schulberg, Oregon Partnership, 503-244-5211
Christie Scott, OLCC, 503-872-5002

Introducing OLCC's new commissioners

Alex M. Duarte, Ron Roome, and Cassandra SkinnerLopata have been appointed to the OLCC's board of commissioners. The new members were nominated by Gov. Ted Kulongoski and confirmed by the Senate.

Alex M. Duarte - 3rd Congressional District
Duarte has a vast background in law. Currently, he is Corporate Counsel for Qwest Communications International in Portland, and serves as Qwest’s general counsel for its Oregon operations. Prior to joining Qwest in 1999, Duarte was in private law practice in San Francisco for 14 years, including six years as a partner in a national law firm, where he specialized in complex commercial litigation. Duarte’s wide range of experience in public service extends from serving on the Oregon Board of Maritime Pilots, including as its Chair from 2007 to 2008, to sitting on the boards of directors of the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce (which he chaired from 2005 to 2007) and the Malheur Home Telephone Company, in addition to numerous leadership positions in the community.



Ron Roome - 2nd Congressional District
As a civil litigator/trial attorney, Roome brings a rich knowledge in legal and administrative principles to the OLCC. Roome has been a lawyer at Karnopp Petersen LLP in Bend since 1988 and has been litigation partner since 1994. Roome has served in multiple public service roles including President of J.R. Campbell American Inns of Court (2002-2003) and as President of the Deschutes County Bar Association (1997-1998). He currently serves on the Oregon State Bar Disciplinary Board.




Cassandra SkinnerLopata - 4th Congressional District

SkinnerLopata brings broad experience in both law and community service to the OLCC. SkinnerLopata is a graduate of the University of Oregon’s School of Law and is a founding partner of SkinnerLopata Harris LLC, a law firm in Eugene. She has held positions on the Governor’s Council on Domestic Violence, the Lane County Human Rights Advisory Committee, and the board of directors for Breaking Free, a non-profit organization promoting empowerment and self-defense for women and girls. SkinnerLopata’s broad range of community service includes volunteering for the Attorney General’s Sexual Assault Task Force, Lane County Legal Aid, and several programs with the Oregon State Bar and the University of Oregon School of Law. SkinnerLopata currently serves on the Board of Directors for Head Start of Lane County and is a member of the Oregon State Bar’s Quality of Life Committee.

The five citizen commissioners are the policy-making body of the OLCC. They meet monthly for one or two days to make decisions on liquor licenses, rules, contested case hearings and appointments of liquor store agents. Commission meetings are held every other month at OLCC's main office, 9079 SE McLoughlin Blvd., Room 103A in Portland. Subsequent months,
the meetings are held via phone.

OLCC Bend office to hold open forum town hall meeting

Bend area liquor licensees are invited to participate in an open forum to share their ideas, questions, concerns, and insights with the OLCC.

Monday, June 8 @ 2:00 p.m.

ODOT offices, 63055 N. Highway 97, Bend, Oregon

RSVP: Bend OLCC office @ 541-388-6292 x221

“The OLCC takes pride in its commitment to communicate with all licensees and takeholders. Our overarching goal is to have licensed businesses that are safe for employees, customers, and neighbors,” said Jason Evers, Bend Regional Manager. “We’re looking forward to our town hall meeting and to hearing what’s on our licensees’ minds.”

One-on-one meetings can also be arranged with Evers for those unable to attend.