It’s the issue that has grabbed New Bedford’s attention this summer.
Last week, the Licensing Board, at the prompting of Mayor Jon Mitchell, voted 3-0 to ban the sale of nips in New Bedford. The city follows nearby Fairhaven in its ban, as well as four other Massachusetts communities.
Proponents say the nip ban is necessary because they are difficult to recycle, and lead to discarded plastic bottles all over the place, not to mention encouraging alcoholism and drunk driving. Watch Mary Nicholson of Be the Solution to Pollution and Lynn Coish of Operation Clean Sweep discussed their support of the nip ban in Part 1:
Opponents say adults have a right to consume their legal alcohol of choice and that the ban will unfairly damage local businesses. They are asking for the public to be given a chance to weigh in on the issue and talking about legal challenges. Mark Riley of Freitas Package Store in New Bedford and Councilor-at-large Ian Abreu discussed alternatives to the ban in Part 2:
THE CHAT ARCHIVES
Food insecurity: ‘Food need is 365 days a year’
If you missed The Chat with Jack Spillane and local leaders of food distribution programs, you can watch it here.
Candidates’ Chat: School for thought with The Light
The election special Chats with Jack Spillane concluded Wednesday with an informative hour with the candidates for School Committee.
City Council ward candidates in the spotlight
Contested races in Wards 1, 2, and 5 heat up as the Nov. 4 general election approaches. Watch the full Chat with Jack Spillane here. Want to watch more Chats? We’ve got them all here.