Lowell Aldermen Reject Alcohol Sales Measure

— Aldermen split Tuesday on allowing beer and wine sales during Mudtown Days at Ward Nail park.

Dean Bitner, alderman, spearheaded a move to get the ordinance approved before Mudtown Days next month but was met with opposition from aldermen Tom Evers, Janette Lasater and Ronnie Breland.

Bitner tried to get it approved on first reading by title only but it had to have a two-thirds majority. The 3-5 vote, with aldermen Bitner, Eric Schein, Connor Jones, Keith Williams and Kendell Stucki voting in favor of the ordinance failed.

Stucki took another tactic asking the ordinance be read in its entirety, hoping for a better result.

"I just don't see what the rush is," Evers said. "We live in a town that doesn't like change. The county voted wet and now we want to open a beer garden in a park. What's next -- a beer garden anytime anybody wants one? I, for one, don't want my kids exposed to drunks."

Shawn Ingram, city engineering, explained the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division has a strict set of rules for such events.

"The area where beer is sold is closed off to the general public, no one under 21 is allowed in the garden. You have to have a permit for a beer garden from the ABC," Ingram said.

Evers wanted to know if anyone has asked to have a beer garden during Mudtown Days?

"Yes we have," Ingram said.

Lasater explained she had personal moral objection to alcohol and wouldn't ever vote to approve alcohol sales in the city.

Aldermen voted again on the issue and it also failed to reach a two-thirds majority.

"What can we do to make this more palatable to get this approved?" Bitner said.

Evers and Lasater answered "Nothing."

The issue was tabled for a second reading next month.

"I don't see any reason to bring the issue back up. It obvious we aren't going to get a two-thirds majority," Bitner said and started to say something else but stopped.

"I want to hear what your have to say, Evers said.

"I think you are fooling yourself if you don't think some of those people carrying plastic cups at Mudtown Days aren't drinking. If you allow drinking in a control area at least you know where they are and can allow the police to handle the situation."

"I just don't see the reason for us to have a beer garden in a city park that's designed for children and families," Evers replied.

NW News on 04/16/2014

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