13 minors hospitalized from drinking at concert Assemblywoman calls for revocation of arts center liquor license BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer HOLMDEL - In response to reports of minors being sent to the hospital from the PNC Bank Arts Center due to excess alcohol consumption at a concert, a local lawmaker has called for the venue's liquor license to be revoked. Assemblywoman Amy Handlin (R-Monmouth/Middlesex) has asked the State Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to revoke the license after 15 concertgoers, 13 of whom were minors, were sent to nearby Bayshore Community Hospital from a Gwen Stefani concert on May 18. The number of people at the hospital forced some to be diverted to other area hospitals, according to Handlin. "This must not be allowed to continue unchecked. We cannot sacrifice the safety of our children and our community to the bottom line of a faceless corporation," Handlin said. Handlin said a number of meetings have already occurred or will be taking place in the coming days with officials from the arts center and state police, which has jurisdiction over arts center grounds, and Live Nation, a concert promotions business which leases the venue. "At least nobody is trying to shirk responsibility, which is good to see," Handlin said. "I deliberately chose to go for the liquor license due to economics. I definitely got the attention of those who are in power." Handlin also said that she was pleased with the quick response from all parties involved and that there is more to the situation than just the liquor license. "I don't plan on leaving any stone unturned when it comes to this issue. There also needs to be adequate security and surveillance in place in time for the next event on June 6. Clearly the situation has gotten worse and we cannot allow another summer season to proceed without a severe crackdown," Handlin said. "At the very least, I want the security and surveillance issue taken care of prior to June 6." Peter Aseltine, spokesman for the ABC, said that his department was alerted to the problems that occurred at the arts center earlier this month and that they are looking into them. He also said that meetings are being held for all interested parties.