There is a reasonable expectation that a place that provides entertainment with alcoholic beverages should take reasonable precautious against rowdy or noisy customers. Certainly over-serving a customer is something that such establishments must avoid.

But the provisions of the mayor's new nightlife legislation may be so harsh as to virtually extinguish these private businesses rather than simply regulating them.

The mayor's proposal would require larger such businesses that serve liquor after 10 p.m. to obtain a nightlife license. Add to that the establishments would be required to comply with several operating rules, such as controlling noise levels, litter clean up and providing security patrols around the premises for at least 30 minutes after closing time. Nightspots would have to return compliant calls within 24 hours.

Some of the proposals seem unenforceable, says Dan Cowan, owner of the Tractor Tavern on Ballard Avenue. He says noise stemming from clubs and restaurants has become an increasing problem ever since the ban on smoking inside public places. "Just like with the smoking ban, no one knows what to make of the proposal. It's not a very well thought out plan. It's not realistic."

This legislation needs a tremendous amount of work before it can be foisted on our businesses. To be sure, we want rowdy and noisy people controlled, but is it fair to make business owners go out an enforce matters in the streets and alleys where there could be legal issues no one has yet considered?

We think not and hope some serious fixes are in store before this legislation is passed.

- Jack Mayne