Commentary; Posted: 5/9/07
FL Lions’ June 1 beer project is not taken lightly
Regarding Cliff Buchan’s column; “Forest Lake—Is it families first or parties first?” Cliff’s column in the May 3, 2007 edition of the Forest Lake Times, expressed concern regarding a special permit for the Forest Lake Lions to sell beer at the park opening this coming June.
The idea to sell beer at one of our fund raiser events was not taken lightly by our club. It was first discussed at our club meeting in August 2006. Several informal discussions with city leadership and the police department in the time period to-date indicated that beer sales in a “controlled environment” could be considered.
A few of our members met with the Forest Lake Park Board at their April meeting and presented our proposal to sell 3.2 beer at the park opening on June 1. The park board voted 3 in favor of the proposal and 3 against the proposal.
This information was forwarded to the Forest Lake City Council for action during its April 23 meeting, at which they voted 4-1 to approve a permit for the Lions Club to proceed.
Our plan for this event:
•3.2 beer will be sold in a roped off area adjacent to but not in Lakeside Park.
•Security will be provided by paid off-duty police/sheriff personnel from outside the Forest Lake Police Department.
•ID checks will be made on those entering the beer sales area.
•Those patrons admitted will be allowed to enjoy their beverage inside the designated area. No one will be allowed to leave the area with beer.
•Forest Lake Lions will be staffing the beer sales area.
•All necessary permits, insurance, security and clean up will be provided by the Forest Lake Lions.
What we do not know:
Will this event create additional work for our police department?
Will they find the “no alcohol in public” rule harder to enforce?
Will it be harder to keep beer out of the park on July 4th?
Is there a mixed message being sent?
Will beer sales at one event change the atmosphere of the park?
Will other organizations plan to sell beer at their baseball games?
What we do know, is that the Forest Lake Lions are serious about our goal to serve this community.
When our club approved this project at its May 3rd meeting, an integral part of the approval was that after the event, there will be an open and honest evaluation of the project.
This will include discussions with the park board, police, city officials and members of the general public who may wish to express their views.
Then and only then will we be able to decide on how to proceed in the future to continue in service to this community and help make it a better place to live.
The commentary was submitted by Forest Lake Lions Club members Lloyd Sather, Rich Jabas and Blake Roberts.
Forest Lake Times
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880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
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