this is great news. the owners of bars should be held somewhat responsible for the troubles they create. maybe they should be forced to hire security people to make sure their patrons are not causing problems.

Wish we had a Mayor who cared about our quality of life here. There's a variety of opinions on Stack, but he's now got my vote permanently, glad to be in his Senate district.

Published: Wednesday, February 01, 2012, 3:00 AM
John Heinis/The Jersey Journal By John Heinis/The Jersey Journal

UNION CITY The city's revocation of a local nightclub's liquor license, which cited multiple arrests for drug offenses and acts of violence in or near the establishment, has been upheld.

"This establishment has been a public nuisance to the entire neighborhood for too long now," Mayor Brian Stack said yesterday about Monaco Restaurant, at 323 48th St. "It sets a bad image for those who live by the neighborhood. We demand a good quality of life for the residents and the business owners of the area."

The revocation of the nightclub's liquor license took effect Jan. 18.

Owners of the Monaco couldn't be reached yesterday for comment.

Last Friday, the state Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control rejected Monaco's appeal of the city's decision to revoke the license.

Union City presented information that showed "the business was conducted in such a manner as to create a nuisance, and was unlawfully operated by a criminally disqualified individual," Jerry Fischer, the state ABC director, said when he denied Monaco's appeal.

Fischer went on to say that Monaco simply did not present any evidence suggesting otherwise.

"The activities occurring inside the bar were directly affecting the quality of life of the residents in the area for several years," Police Chief Brian Barrett said yesterday.

"The complaints from the neighborhood have been ongoing, and we're (the city) glad the ABC board is taking the corrective and necessary action to provide them with a better quality of life."