Here we are once again afraid to make a decision now, when it matters most, on whether to extend the liquor licencing closing laws on New Year’s Eve.  You see, New Year’s Eve this year falls on a Saturday and we will be going into Sunday. Oh my. On a Saturday bars have to close at 11:30pm with everyone off the premises before midnight.

It’s not as if this is the first time it has happened. The last time was in 2005 and there was a huge protest from not only the bars and restaurants, but the majority of the public. It is not as if extending the closing time into Sunday has never happened before.

Chairman of the Liquor Licencing Board, Mitchell Welds says he is thinking about (it). But the board doesn’t meet until December and he will have some information for the licensed premises owners then.

Hallo, Mr. Welds. Isn’t that a bit late? Haven’t you had rather a long time to think about this? Nearly SIX YEARS!!

Reno Mancini, manager of The Wharf, said he has been asking the Board since April. He has talked to the premier but Hon. McKeeva Bush said he hadn’t made a decision.

Hallo, Mr. Bush. We are in a recession. Tourists aren’t coming here in the droves they were. The service and tourism businesses need all the help they can get. This indecision is costing money now.  When the utterly ridiculous decision taken six years ago not to extend caused cries of disbelief not only here but over the world, Mr. Bush, you even said it was silly.

Hallo legislators. If a decision is taken this year – IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN. Oh, and AGAIN ……  and AGAIN?

Hallo, don’t we rely on tourism? Don’t our businesses want help? For Heavens sake lets have some leadership and make some decisions now. This one is an easy one. Or is your decision going to be “No” and you don’t want weeks and weeks of complaints? Are you afraid our churches are going to be in uproar at allowing drinking an hour into our day of worship? Are you afraid of being excommunicated? Well, I am a regular churchgoer. I actually hold a licensed position at my church. I don’t think I will be excommunicated for this editorial. It doesn’t change my religious views. I was at church this morning (19) worshipping and it is a non-religious day.

I pray that a decision will come soon. I pray it is the most sensible one. I repeat, we have had Saturday’s extensions before on much lesser occasions than New Year’s Eve. Wasn’t one granted for some singer last year at a Government sponsored jazz festival? Did that take six years to make the decision?