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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 Home News Latest Stories Medford: Most dangerous city in Oregon? Emergency Services GMO vote recount still shows little change Ashland police confirm missing teen Sylvia Davis found safe in Northern California Former Ashland police chief listed as dispensary owner Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Medford: Most dangerous city in Oregon? Emergency Services Ashland police confirm missing teen Sylvia Davis found safe in Northern California California man jailed on Measure 11 assault charge after Friday hit-and-run Former church camp staff member faces sex abuse charges Politics and Elections GMO vote recount still shows little change GMO labeling votes recounted under careful watch in Jackson County Kent Bush: First Amendment doesn’t mean what you think it means East Medford's the charm Pot, GMOs unite south Jackson County Education Eagle Point superintendent invited to White House Eagle Point secures perimeter of Table Rock Elementary with new fence Medford school administrators get pay boost Students put their hearts into AIDS event Kitzhaber calls for early education spending in budget proposal Environment Bighorn sheep reintroduced along Klamath River Jackson County judge dismisses one Mt. View Paving case Advisory warns of blue-green algae bloom at Lost Creek Lake County calls for local control of federal lands Most dredging banned under new proposed guidelines State News Teaching assistant strike goes into weekend Corvallis chamber: Just say no to panhandlers Nike expansion plans hint at dramatic design Uber launches in Portland without city OK Unearthed rail line a reminder of O&C logging boom Nation - World Grand jury won't indict Ferguson cop in shooting Obituaries Lucille (Smith) Allen Duane Cheney Cory Davis Robert R. Talbott Robert Archie Ferns Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories Pettis chokes Melendez, defends belt at UFC 181 Young Panthers take first step in win Eagles hold on for Yreka title Spartans win seventh straight North crowns four champs in victory Varsity 541 College Sports Raider women earn triumph Payton has double-double as OSU rallies for win SOU Raiders get first shot at national title Helfrich enjoys big payday with Pac-12 title Oregon all but cements spot in playoff with rout of Arizona Pro Sports Pistons become Sixers' latest victims Spieth opens seven-shot lead at Isleworth James, Love power Cavs to sixth straight win Aldridge, Lillard lead Blazers past Pacers, 88-82 Murray, Romo lead Cowboys over Bears, 41-28 Community Sports Keeping Fit: Runners need to do more than run to stay in shape RESULTS/STANDINGS LOCAL EVENTS Business Latest Stories Jackson County judge dismisses one Mt. View Paving case Blog: A Time for Tradition SOU business students seek research projects Downtown property owners would fund economic development district in Medford MBA candidates lend their talents to clients for free Real Estate News More sales, but no change in residential housing median price Dear Monty: Violation of HOA rules creates conflict Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban People In Business People in Business, Dec. 3 People in Business, Nov. 18 People in Business, Nov. 8 Transportation Allegiant Air will resume Medford-Phoenix service May 22 Medford airport passenger counts sky high in October Agriculture Southern Oregon wine industry had a robust 2013 Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Lawsuit seeks to overturn Jackson County's GMO ban or net $4.2 million for farms Latest count shows Measure 92 supporters narrowing deficit Opinion Latest Our View: Land takeover a sincere but empty gesture Letters to the Editor, Dec. 7 Guest Opinion: SOU pool decision short-sighted Guest Opinion: It's time for biologists to let OR-7 go dark Dana Milbank: Eric Garner case offers Obama a moment to seize Editorials Our View: Land takeover a sincere but empty gesture Other Views: OSU rape case is a teaching opportunity Our View: Oregon budget should plan for rain Our View: Cheers and jeers Our View: Stay flexible on kindergarten hours Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Dec. 7 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 5 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 4 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 3 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 2 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: SOU pool decision short-sighted Guest Opinion: It's time for biologists to let OR-7 go dark Guest Opinion: It's time Oregon put a price on carbon Guest Opinion: Are we the preferred path to global devastation? Guest Opinion: Fight for the rights of independent voters will continue Lifestyle Latest stories Creating memories with classic movies A green light for the flying train Stay connected as you grow older Stylish on the Snow Duck stamp increase closer to reality Food Community blog: Merry Christmas 10 Barrel! (Big Brewery vs Small Independent Brewer) Community blog: Lentil cooking water doubles as soup stock 'Amazing' Soup Roxy Ann winemaker has roots in Napa Valley Community blog: Post-holiday soups easy on the budget, waistline Home and Garden Troubleshoot common water boiler problems Dear Monty: Ten helpful home-listing tips Home Help: Luxurious upgrades don’t have to break the bank 9 ways to green your gift wrap Dear Monty: How to find a good real estate attorney Health Dr. Murray Feingold: Say it like you mean it Community blog: Guiltless Holidays Better for our Health HealthStyle: Develop an attitude of gratitude Health Watch: Fuel up on carbs before workouts Health insurance enrollment help available Hiking Biking Faith Religion news: Pope aims to expedite sex abuse rulings Religion news: Seattle-based mega-church dissolves Religion Briefs Milestones and Achievements Hire 'em and pray for snow Madi-Stiles A New Song Rogers-Horn New Arrivals Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Ooblies Artisan Waffle Sandwiches Bedford Falls comes to life at Randall SOU presents all-percussion concert Soroptimist holiday home tour features four houses this weekend Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Theater Bedford Falls comes to life at Randall Camelot presents 'Fiddler on the Roof' OCT's holiday show is a wonderful play New 'Alice' has some for kids ... and adults 'It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play' opens at Oregon Cabaret Theatre Music SOU presents all-percussion concert Shae Johnson releases 'Can You Feel the Music' Jeff Kloetzel releases 'Long Time Coming' A new guitar slinger in town Peter Chianca: Top 40 songs even a dad could love Community Events Soroptimist holiday home tour features four houses this weekend Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists 2014 Providence Festival of Trees A grand illumination at the Commons Lighting up memories Dining Ooblies Artisan Waffle Sandwiches Brunch at Loft Brasserie The Bohemian Club Thanksgiving comes early at Taprock Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Our View: Land takeover a sincere but empty gesture ... Guest Opinion: SOU pool decision short-sighted ... Guest Opinion: It's time for biologists to let OR-7 go dark ... Our View: Land takeover a sincere but empty gesture ... Guest Opinion: SOU pool decision short-sighted ... Guest Opinion: It's time for biologists to let OR-7 go dark ... MEDFORD Council defies law to allow booze in park City unaware of code preventing alcohol sales By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 19, 2014 @ 12:01 am By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 19, 2014 @ 12:01 am » Social News Medford City Council on Thursday decided to disobey its own law by allowing a beer and wine garden in Pear Blossom Park for the Downtown Art + Sound event scheduled to start today. “It’s not allowed under city code,” warned Lori Cooper, deputy city attorney. A fight broke out last weekend at Harry & David Field at U.S. Cellular Community Park, which alerted city officials to a clearly written code that doesn’t allow alcohol to be served on most city-owned properties. Police said alcohol was a factor in the brawl involving about 50 people. The city has previously allowed other events where alcohol was served on public property, apparently unaware that it was in violation of the code. Diane Raymond with the Metro Medford Downtown Association pleaded with the council on Thursday to override the code because of the sizable investment and planning that went into the Art + Sound event on Friday. She said her organization only found out about the code violation at the “11th hour” after it had already taken out all the permits it thought were necessary for the event. “Here I am, somewhat devastated,” she told the council. Raymond told the council that one main feature of the event was the beer and wine garden, which would be installed around the stage at Pear Blossom Park near Lithia headquarters. Cooper told the council that the city would be in the position of breaking its own code if it allowed the beer and wine garden. “I don’t see there’s any way to satisfy Miss Raymond’s request,” she said. But Councilor Bob Strosser made a motion to allow the beer and wine garden even though it conflicts with the city’s own laws. “We’re in the position of wounding one of our stakeholders,” Strosser said. The Municipal Code Section 5.310 is fairly specific about not allowing consumption of alcohol: “No person shall consume alcoholic liquor in or on a street, sidewalk, alley, public right-of-way, public park, other publicly owned facility, or premises open to the general public for the use of motor vehicles, whether the premises are publicly or privately owned and whether or not a fee is charged for the use of the premises.” Under the code, the city could allow consumption of alcohol in city-owned parking lots. Many councilors had previously stated they took an oath of office to uphold state and federal laws in regards to issues of medical marijuana. Councilors Daniel Bunn and John Michaels voted against allowing the beer and wine garden. “I admit this is a mess,” Michaels said. “But I don’t like the precedence it sets.” City Council will discuss whether to change the code at a future meeting to allow sales of beer and wine in local parks. Councilor Eli Matthews joined councilors Chris Corcoran, Bob Strosser and Dick Gordon in ignoring the city code. “It’s a clear quandary,” said Matthews. “Clearly, it’s our fault.” Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @reporterdm.   By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 19, 2014 @ 12:01 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. 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 Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs 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. 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