I did the live blog last night at the city commission meeting. Here are some highlights.
The city "took no action" on Prairiefests request to have wine at Paris Park during their festival which is the first week in June. That means by default, the request was denied. They can still have it, but they have to do it in the agri-business building - where no permit from the city is needed.
Prairiefest folks say they were wanting to do something different. The festival has struggled in recent years. Commissioners are opposed to approving of alcohol in parks at events. Patrick McDonald said when the city gave the OK for Arkalalah, the commission assured the public that it would not mean alcohol would spread to the parks, and he wanted to keep that promise.
Jean Snell didn't vote on the matter because of his family connections to the festival.
Mell Kuhn said he liked the idea, but felt he had to oppose it because of concern about it spreading to the parks. Dotty Smith was opposed from the beginning, and felt the agri business building was a good alternative.
No word on what Prairiefest folks will do, but they can have it at the Agri business building.
Would having alcohol available make you want to go to PrairieFest?
Why do you like the festival, or why do you not like it?
The city also tabled a measure to declare an area north of Skyline a blighted area, which would be a step toward creating an economic development disrict. City Attorney Tamara Niles had a power point presentation, but commissioners objected to the fact that no paper copies were made available to them.
The vote was 3-1, with Jay Warren not voting. he did not give a reason. Snell voted for it. Kuhn, Smith and McDonald voted for tabling the measure for more study.
Are there any activities planned for Thursday's Day of Prayer?
Ive not heard of any.
Some arts supports like wine at the events. I give the Denton or Burford or whatever it is now some money each year so I get the mailings. They have quite a few events over the years where wine is served.
ReplyDeleteOne thing they could do is try it once and if it goes bad say never again. I know that is risky but who knows until you try. Eh well maybe I don't even think that is true.
One thing, I am for people being able to drink but NOT when kids are around, and I am pretty extreme about that I will admit but it is for the best. Prairefest used to have lots of kid events in the park - Kinderart and music and all that. Are they not having that this year? Kids and adults drinking do not mix (in my opinion) so that is something I would want to know more about. Basically I will not attend or let my kids go near it unitl I know.
the issue for me is not if the arts and wine mix well. The is issue is the public park. Sometime ago the city commission, not sure which one, voted to allow, special permits for alcohol to be served inside the Agri-business building.
ReplyDeleteAt the time the commission made the statement that they hoped that would put an end to it. They didn't want alcohol in the public parks.
It is not the case of if the Denton/Burford would be responsible and careful with the event it is where do you legally draw the line next time.
What about the next group that applies for alcohol at their event hosted at the park and the next, and the next
Once you open that door, you can't close it for just some people. Of open it for just some.
Have we gotten used to needing alcohol, to bolster attendance for events?
Have we gotten used to needing alcohol, to bolster attendance for events?
ReplyDeleteapparently....some folks have.