Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Ashland tests synthetic grass to save water ... From walking sticks to shovels ... U.S. Government wants to garnish wages of former Portland eco-saboteur ... Ashland tests synthetic grass to save water ... From walking sticks to shovels ... U.S. Government wants to garnish wages of former Portland eco-saboteur ... OUR VIEW Our view: City should ease up on alcohol ban Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Sep. 21, 2014 at 2:00 AM Posted Sep. 21, 2014 at 2:00 AM » Social News The Medford City Council, which until last week was apparently unaware that its own municipal code bars the serving of alcohol on most city-owned property, should act swiftly to remedy that unreasonable restriction. City officials became aware of the no-alcohol clause after a brawl erupted at a mixed martial arts event at Harry & David Field, part of U.S. Cellular Community Park. Removing the outmoded restriction need not mean that more MMA events must be allowed, or that they should. Alcohol was a factor in the brawl, according to police, but most events where alcohol is served go off without resulting in violence. It’s not uncommon for cities to prohibit alcohol in parks as a general rule, but that doesn’t mean the law can’t allow for specific exceptions under controlled circumstances. That’s what’s called for here. The Downtown Art + Sound festival that ran Friday and Saturday included a beer garden in Pear Blossom Park, and the council agreed to override its own law to allow that — a prime example of the kind of event that should be permitted. As for Harry & Field field, beer is served there at Rogues baseball games all summer long, with no reported problems that we are aware of. As the Rogue Valley continues to develop as a noted wine-growing region, it makes little sense to ban serving wine on city property during festivals and other events. The Southern Oregon Craft Brew Festival in June featured 25 breweries serving beer downtown. As long as certain safeguards are in place, that's another example of an event that promotes local business and boosts the local economy. Certainly the council should require firm rules governing alcohol service on city property. Access must be strictly controlled to ensure minors are preventing from drinking. Anyone dispensing alcohol is required to have service permits from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission. Groups wishing to serve alcohol during an event should have to apply to the city for a permit on a case-by-case basis. We're not suggesting that anyone who wishes should be able to pop open a beer in Hawthorne Park. But there is no reason why a carefully operated beer garden or wine tasting event should not be allowed for a limited time during a festival. The City Council should revise the city code to accommodate that. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Sep. 21, 2014 at 2:00 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501