Comments on: Looks like they’ll sell alcohol longer as well

By: Sookie

Sookie — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:15:35 +0000

after thinking about the last b of a meeting, i had to go online to say i am proud i live in a city where so many people think it important we become an even more progressive, inclusive community. harry freeman, especially, was eloquent.
i agree with those who comment on whether or not these times for public intake are actual hearings. so many limitations are put on the speakers. those making remarks seemed to be much more courteous than those at the table. the current mayor seems to be very fond of using his gavel.
administration, would you please repost the link to the believe video? i wanted to share it. that video is a true reflection of this progressive, inclusive community.

By: mark duncan

mark duncan — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 21:43:01 +0000

here is the wording of the current policy:

On-premises consumption. No beer or light wine shall be sold for on-premises
consumption within 250 feet of the property line of any church or school
property functioning as a church, school, or child care facility and
adjacent parking. This distance shall be measured by proceeding on foot from
the nearest point of the building where beer or light wine is sold to any
church or school property functioning as a church, school or child care
facility and parking lots adjacent to these primary facilities.

the great thing about this is that we now must define what “functioning as a church…” actually means. does that mean actually having a service or does it mean any place where two or more are gathered?

By: GoState04

GoState04 — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:48:58 +0000

Did a google for “alcohol related crime stats”.

Chose the 1st 2 for the US that popped up:
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/youthdevelopment/DA3228.html
Univ of MN Study. (this is just alcohol- not mainstream drugs) Also, there is more out there, but I don’t have time to write a thesis

Crimes:
55 – 75% of homicide victims and
40% of rape offenders had been drinking at the time of the incident;
50% of those who commit sex abuse crimes also abuse alcohol.
Suicides:
80% of all adolescent suicides have been reported to be children of alcoholic parents.

http://www.marininstitute.org/alcohol_policy/violence.htm

I am for 7 day sales- you either sell it or you don’t. Period.

HOWEVER, in playing the devil’s advocate on the last post, I feel people are not being honest with themselves when they say no relationship exists between alcohol and crime- it does.

The 7day sales issue has nothing to do with that. THE issue is, If you sell it, you sell it.

By: Jeremy Murdock

Jeremy Murdock — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:18:49 +0000

Thanks Lola.

By: Lola

Lola — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:16:29 +0000

First Baptist Family Life Center, that is.
.

By: Lola

Lola — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:15:24 +0000

JM, I checked on the FBMS Family Life Center. As I understand the regs, that is counted as a church. In addition to the actual church/school buildings, parking lots of the church/school buildings are also included.

By: Jeremy Murdock

Jeremy Murdock — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:41:45 +0000

GoState04,

“it’s true most crime stats prove the majority of violent crimes occurred by people under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol”…show us the stats. I just do not believe that is the case. Yes, many crimes are related to drugs or alcohol, but I do not beleive that “most” can be attributed to alcohol. I agree with the “if it’s wrong, it is wrong ever day of the week” comment. Great point.

Does anyone know about the Family Life Center question? If that is considered a “church” in the ordinance?

By: GoState04

GoState04 — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:22:32 +0000

Mark- agreed. That was not a direct correlation and was simply used to inflame the issue.

Playing devil’s advocate, it’s true most crime stats prove the majority of violent crimes occurred by people under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, but there is not a direct correlation to state that selling on Sunday will cause this behavior.

We have alcohol already- that issue has been decided. If alcohol’s wrong, it’s wrong regardless of the day of the week. The issue is whether it is right to limit the sale one day per week.

I do feel this issue is polarizing our city at a time the BOA needs to be building conscencus. It is what it is, though.

By: Alan Couey

Alan Couey — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:45:49 +0000

It was a little… strange, Mark. Actually, I was more disturbed with the notion of shooting a cop because of alcohol? How disturbing!

Maybe I didn’t get the exact point of inflated stories of violence and turmoil in our community, but I can say that there was not a single opponent of the vote for Sunday sales who did not bring up religious preference as a basis for this argument. Even one specific lady, who I admire for her persistence and passion in city issues, claimed that it was “just wrong.” Morals and religion as a platform can only hurt the opponents of the vote. You would think that safety issues wouldn’t be exaggerated so much so we can get a realistic perspective on the effects of introducing 7-day sales to our community, but that issue alone is the backbone that could keep this vote from going pro-Sunday sales, I guess.

By: mark duncan

mark duncan — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:05:04 +0000

do extra building owned by a church come into play when measuring the distance or does the measurement occur from the front door of the actual worship building?

i believe that someone is working on a map to show the distances and how it would affect downtown and should be presented at the next BOA meeting to help further clarify.

was anyone besides myself disturbed that two people correlated extending hours with gang rape? i doubt there is any evidence supporting that fact but to bring up such a violent and traumatizing event to try and win support is borderline heartless. i know i was uncomfortable.