By Amy Batista, Special Writer
EAST WINDSOR — Mayor Janice Mironov issued a proclamation June 23 recognizing Alcohol Awareness Month while kicking off the “We Check for 21” initiative aimed at deterring underage drinking.
The mayor presented all the liquor license holders in the township with a proclamation.
“This is the month where typically the liquor licenses are issued,” said Mayor Mironov.
The municipal clerk read the resolution requiring township Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) licensees to pledge “We Check for 21” as a condition of receiving their liquor license renewal.
“We are all working to deter underage drinking,” the mayor said.
According to the resolution, approximately eight in 10 youths will have consumed alcohol at some time in their lives by the time they reach the 12th grade and more than 60 percent of these youths will have consumed it to the point of intoxication.
Approximately 1,000 drivers between the ages of 16 and 20 who are in fatal accidents each year have blood alcohol above the legal limit of 0.08, according to the resolution.
The “We Check for 21” program is an excellent vehicle to bring together municipal government leaders, young people, parents, key community and school leaders, policy makers and local businesses toward a common positive community effort, according to the resolution.
“That was our resolution requiring that prior to the issuance of any ABC license that the license holder is required to sign our pledge to check for 21,” she said. “We have a number of tools tonight we are going to distribute in support of the campaign as well as some educational materials provided by the Mercer Prevention Council who strongly supports the program here in East Windsor and they are looking to use it as a model throughout the county.”
Various resource and informational materials were distributed for use at the establishments granted liquor licenses including “We Check for 21” buttons, “We Check for 21” logo coasters, ID guide checking books, and “We Check for 21” T-shirts.
Township liquor license holders who helped kick off the campaign included Jugraj Parmar of Shoppes at East Windsor; Todd Borelli of Bottle King Discount Wine and Liquors; Kathy Vogel of Charlie Brown’s Steakhouse; Ryan Quigley of City Streets Café; Edward Bogdan of David’s Pub and Package; Jessica Sokol of Days Inn of East Windsor; Vijay Papaiya of Divya and Krisha LLC; Patricia O’Brien of Hightstown Elks 1955; Alexis Seiferling and Samatha Natiello of Holiday Inn of East Windsor; Paul Miller of The Peddie Golf Club; Ranganath Lingala of PST Associates LLC; John Eisberg, general manager of TGI Friday’s; Jimmy Manetes of Town Diner; and Commander Bruce MacDougall of VFW Post 5700.
Mayor Mironov thanked and recognized the license holders in attendance “for being part of the team.”
“It shows that you share our commitment to doing all of the appropriate and responsible things together to ensure that we deter underage drinking in our community,” she said. “You are our first line out there.”
She said it’s great that to have so many people that care in East Windsor.
Councilman Peter Yeager, who is also chairperson and coordinator for the Municipal Alliance for the Prevention of Substance Abuse, said “thank you for all you do.”
“We employee a lot of different strategies with the Municipal Alliance for the Prevention of Substance Abuse and obviously one of them is to make sure that it doesn’t get into the wrong hands in the first place,” he said. “You guys are on the front lines and we appreciate you looking out for our community.”
“We are very strong in drug awareness in our community,” said Ms. O’Brien. “We strongly support your efforts on checking for 21.”
Mayor Mironov said that the Hightstown Elks 1955 has been a part of the Municipal Alliance for the Prevention of Substance Abuse.
“They have a very strong and dedicated commitment,” she said.
Jugraj Parmar of Shoppes at East Windsor, a new shopping center under construction on Route 130 southbound, said the Shoppes purchased a liquor license and is going to be bringing in some establishments.
“We definitely support the program for alcohol and addiction,” he said. “It is a big problem in the United States.”
License holders all signed the “We Check for 21” pledge before leaving.
