City Tables Booze In Park DecisCity Tables Booze In Park Decisionion
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Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Warsaw City Council Monday tabled a recommendation to prohibit alcohol on park property.
The vote to table the decision until the council's Nov. 3 meeting was unanimous.
Warsaw Park Board, at its Sept. 16 meeting, unanimously approved recommending to the council that alcohol be banned at all park property except campgrounds effective Jan. 1.The proposed ban results from a series of incidents where the Center Lake Pavilion was damaged during events where alcohol was present.
Larry Plummer, park director, said the park board has tried for the past four months to come up with a solution to prevent damages to the pavilion.
During the Aug. 20 park board meeting, the board approved a $525 increase for a damage deposit fee for all events when alcohol is at Center Lake Pavilion.
"I don't think anyone on the park board wants to ban alcohol from the pavilion, but we've tried to come up with a solution and have not been able to," Plummer said.
He said he didn't think a monetary amount will deter damage to the pavilion unless it is a significant amount.
Councilman George Clemens said he felt he needed more time to learn about the issue and thought banning alcohol would affect events such as wedding receptions and city parties.
"The pavilion is a revenue source for the city and I think we might cut off that source for legitimate groups if we ban alcohol because a few bad apples spoiled it," Clemens said.
Councilman Charlie Smith said he agreed he didn't think the solution is to ban alcohol on park property.
"I've been to many events at the pavilion over the years, and I don't think we should penalize everyone because of one or two parties," Smith said.
Councilman Joe Thallemer said he was concerned about banning alcohol.
"We don't have many options for rental facilities where alcohol is allowed, and the few that we have book up fast," Thallemer said.
"I hate to spoil it for those who are responsible," Thallemer said.
Warsaw Police Dept. Chief Perry Hunter said a large percentage of people who rent the pavilion respect the property.
"At a lot of the events at the pavilion we don't need policing because people behave and respect property. Unfortunately, it is the 1 percent who cause problems," Hunter said.
He said every law has been created because someone went too far and made a mistake and everyone else had to pay for it.
Hunter said it is law enforcement's job if a person leaves the pavilion intoxicated to intercept them and keep them from being a danger to the community.
"Trash and vandalism is one thing, but the safety of fire codes and safety on roads is another. If we are setting up safety problems by continuing to allow alcohol, we need to handle the issue before it goes too far," Thallemer said.
Councilman Dan Hampton said banning alcohol might provide an opportunity for alcohol enforcement at the pavilion and in Central Park.
"The park has created an island where alcohol is allowed at the pavilion, but is not allowed in Central Park," Hampton said. "We are not in the business of providing an alcohol venue where other businesses are."
He said he supports alcohol being allowed at campgrounds because he said people should be allowed to drink in their own homes.
Mayor Ernie Wiggins said if the council voted to prohibit alcohol on park property, there are other places where events with alcohol could be held, such as the Shrine Building, Knight of Columbus or the 2517.
Councilman Jeff Grose, who previously served as a council representative on the park board, said he had not heard about damages at the pavilion until recently.
"Having looked at photos, whether it's beer cans, water bottles, trash or diapers, I think it is a trash problem," Grose said.
Grose recommended the damage deposit be increased.
"If I know the damage deposit has increased by $525, then I would raise it to $1,500 or $2,000 to hold renters accountable," he said.
