The reason for citing the 3 p.m. opening time as an issue is because if Tin Can opened earlier, that means more money collected at the business, which then means more tax revenue. Saying "if they opened for lunch, then we would consider allowing beer pong" is just ridiculous. How does serving lunch make playing beer pong suddenly acceptable?

Denying a license for games stating, "its not in the best interest of the city" is ludicrous. There is nothing saying the games must be played while consuming alcohol. These are activities for people to enjoy while promoting a fun atmosphere. Other bars offer things such as "Life-size Jenga" or "Trivia Games."

I have never heard anyone exclaim, "That place lets you play Jenga so obviously this town encourages drinking." However, what I have heard is, "You can get wasted off really cheap beer as long as you order a burger."

The 50/50 rule is a joke. Look around and you'll find things like "Burgerama" and "Half Off Wednesday," each geared toward offering food cheaply, even at cost or a loss, to inflate food sales and meet requirements. Ask people standing outside The Riv on any Thursday, "Why are you waiting?" Most will mention cheap beer. Barely anyone is lining up for burgers, it's all about alcohol.

After working in East Lansing 10+ years in businesses that serve the after bar crowd, I've watched people leave those bars barely able to stand upright or fights cause damage that then creates a police department acting as babysitters for grown children.

Where is enforcement that holds businesses responsible for causing this problem in the first place by over serving? Why is it even necessary to serve alcohol to a student population until 2 a.m. seven days a week?

Enjoying games with friends, whether drinking alcohol or not, is going to happen regardless. Allowing a bar to provide games for customers does not bother me. A city that doesn't go above and beyond to enforce safe drinking laws at these bars is something I do find very troubling.

City Council should worry less about what atmosphere bars create and instead focus more on encouraging they maintain a fully trained staff, teaching the serious dangers of over serving and when to properly cut drinkers off, while implementing policies to hold businesses accountable when they disregard customers well being in pursuit of more money from alcohol sales to an already inebriated person. 

Playing Connect Four in a bar is not this city's problem. Please, East Lansing City Council, straighten out your priorities.

Scott Crabtree is an East Lansing resident.