ABE
Running and Gunning
Based on the reasoning below in red, would you support such an ordinance? Why or why not?
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070125/NEWS/70125031
Vote postponed on proposed beer, wine ordinance in Jackson
By Kathleen Baydala
[email protected]
The Jackson City Council?s Planning Committee again postponed a vote on a proposed ordinance that would limit the sale of beer and wine coolers within city limits.
The new ordinance would prohibit places, such as convenience stores, from selling beer and light wine for off-premise consumption between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 2-7 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
It would not affect restaurants or bars.
Stokes proposed the ordinance in November 2006, stating that current all-hours sales contributes to crime and drunk driving.
This line of thinking is why I can't get a drink at some of my favorite spots (restaurants) after I get out of my grad classes at night. They feel they need to have a last call much earlier than the time they actually close. I went to Ruby Tuesday at 8:30 to find the doors were closed. An employee told me that the manager wanted the last call early to eliminate problems/etc. I feel the manager is copping out, but hey that's life. If they don't want my money.. Oh well..
I am against the ordinance because I feel the start of restriction in other areas also. Frank Melton has already decimated the adult entertainment industry in this city, but I digress. I do not buy beer at stores and get drunk on the way home. I am sure there are some that do. I also do not buy beer late at night unless I am having a party and we have passed the hat due to a lack of beverages (rarely). This situation, however is not about me. There are plenty of DUI cases stemming from restaurants and bars. There are supposed to be safeguards in place to assure drunken people are not allowed to drive, and furthermore those who are deemed "buzzed" to be cut off so they can "walk it off". When was the last time any of you have seen a person cut off who was not acting a donkey, or passed out, or the ultimate "calling earl"? I can not think of an instance in recent history.
I am more in favor of creating precincts where you can buy/sell alcohol (Much like the DFW... much to my chagrin) after certain hours. Patrol those areas heavily and if indeed there is a correlation, then it will be discovered by all the drunkards found in these precincts versus the rest of the city. I will most surely guarantee there will only be a marginal increase of arrests.