Limo operators make case for providing liquor

Kevin Rademacher

Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2005 | 11:04 a.m.

State law clearly allows passengers in Clark County's massive fleet of limousines to drink alcoholic beverages.

Just who is allowed to provide those beverages, however, was the topic of much debate Tuesday morning during a Transportation Services Authority workshop.

Currently, limo drivers must take customers to a liquor store where they have to buy their own liquor, since Clark County regulations prevent operators from supplying the alcohol themselves. Washoe County has similar restrictions.

At the meeting, operators said the restrictions run contrary to the expectations of their customers and causes companies that follow the current rules to lose business to unscrupulous competitors.

"It's not much of a service to our customers," Alan Waxler, president of Alan Waxler Group Charter Services LLC, said of taking customers to liquor stores. "We also feel we should have the opportunity financially to do that."

Brent Bell, president of Whittlesea Bell Transportation Co., agreed that the current regulations are disappointing customers.

"We're here because we want to work with you and get something done," he said. "We believe we've got to make a change."

Brent Carson, an attorney representing On Demand Sedans, questioned the TSA's application of the county rules on operators.

"I don't think that's going to pass muster," he said.

His partner at the law firm of Winner & Carson, Robert Winner, had a similar take on the issue.

"Why are we enforcing this law that nobody seems to care about?" he asked.

Michael Mersch, a deputy attorney general representing the authority, said laws can't be ignored.

"The TSA does not have that luxury," he said. "I don't think it's a valid approach."

Several courses of action were discussed, including taking the issue to the Clark County Commission in an effort to have the regulations changed. Another proposal was having the TSA explore the adoption of it own exemption.

Several parties agreed, however, that the most effective course of action would be asking the Legislature to adopt new laws governing the issue. Such a move would remove the need to have action taken by many cities and counties to create a uniform system field for operators statewide.

Mark Trafton, vice president and general counsel for Whittlesea Bell, said moving forward to remedy the problem would be more productive than debating the legal nuances of the current regulations.

"I think there are lots of ways to argue about this legally," he said. "But how are we going to move forward on the issue?"

Mersch agreed.

"I think the worst thing we can do is let the attorneys get involved," he said. "We could be here for hours, days or months spinning our wheels."

Commissioner Kimberly Maxson-Rushton called on the operators to put their recommendations in writing for the TSA to review and plot a proper course of action.