Alcohol at Dawson, senior center to be discussed
JANESVILLE — The Janesville City Council votes Monday whether to allow beer and wine coolers during adult ball games at Dawson Ball Fields and alcohol at the senior center when it is rented for private events.
Not all of them agree.
The city should trust adults to act their age, one council member said.
But another worries about encouraging Wisconsin's "culture of alcohol."
A public hearing will be held before the vote.
Janesville has gradually opened some of its parks to alcoholic beverages: first the golf courses and Rotary Gardens and more recently the ice arena during Jets games.
Recreation staff recommend the council approve the changes on a trial basis.
"Certainly, we have our reservations as well," said Shelley Slapak, acting recreation director. "We want everyone to be responsible. Our main priority is providing a quality softball program."
Most cities allow alcohol at ball games, and whether beer is served is a common question staff get from people interested in joining leagues.
In a 2010 survey of 77 softball team managers, 83 percent favored beer sales at Dawson Ball Fields, Slapak said.
Some negative comments have come from church league members and bar owners who want players to patronize their sponsors, she said.
"We are concerned that bar owners might not sponsor as many teams as in the past," she said.
But Slapak doesn't believe players will hang around the fields long after their games. Some might come early and have a beer and then one after, she said.
Ninety-two percent of the team managers who responded to the survey said they would continue to patronize their sponsors.
Slapak doesn't believe the increase in revenue at Dawson would be much.
The city receives 15 percent of gross revenues from its contracted concessionary at Dawson.
The city might be able to attract more tournaments, but Slapak doesn't encourage them now because the recreation department doesn't have the people to staff them, she said.
The senior center has more potential for revenue.
"I view the senior center as kind of a gem," Slapak said.
Most people don't know it has a room with a capacity for 150, a view of the river and a commercial–grade kitchen.
But when people inquire about renting it for family reunions or birthday parties, they call somewhere else when they are told they can't have beer or wine, Slapak said.
The facility would not be rented during programmed senior use.
During budget discussions last year, city staff suggested drinking permits be issued for residents who want to rent park pavilions. They also asked that alcoholic beverages be allowed at the Main Street Entertainment series.
Slapak estimated then that additional revenue raised by allowing drinking in parks and city facilities could be about $3,800.
"We're in the minority in terms of allowing drinking in parks, not only by permit but just in general," Slapak said.
The council deferred those issues until a later time.
Councilman Sam Liebert said he sees both sides of the issue, including the potential for revenue, but he believes the money wouldn't be much and mostly would come from the senior center.
He noted the lack of problems since the city allowed beer and wine coolers to be sold during Jets games at the ice arena.
But Liebert said statistics back up concerns about the "culture of alcohol" that seems to permeate Wisconsin and Rock County.
"I think it can sometimes send a bad message to our youth," he said. "We have a big problem with drunk driving.
"I just don't think these are the priorities of issues we should be focusing on when the state and the country is in a recession," he said.
Councilman Russ Steeber disagreed. He doesn't have a problem with allowing adults to enjoy adult beverages in adult settings, he said.
Steeber said he understands the issues involving drugs and minors, but just because adults drink at a game doesn't mean that's appropriate for minors.
"We're saying, 'It's an adult function,'" Steeber said. "This is one of those incidents where you say, 'You're responsible adults, we're going to let you act like adults.'"
If an adult wants to have a beer during a ball game, "Wherein lies the problem?" Steeber asked.
"I think sometimes that we worry too much about what the outcome is going to be—the perception rather than reality. I've always been the type of person who says, 'Why don't we try it?' We can always reel it back in if it becomes problematic."
ON THE AGENDA
The Janesville City Council will meet at 7 p.m. Monday in City Hall, 18 N. Jackson St. An informal listening session with some or all council members will begin at 6 p.m.
Items on the agenda include:
-- A public hearing on two ordinances, both of which would change regular the when alcohol could be sold at liquor stores. New state statutes allow liquor stores to sell beer from 6 a.m. to midnight and liquor from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. The city allows beer sales from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. but does not address liquor. As a result, Janesville allows liquor to be sold from 6 a.m. through 9 p.m. but beer from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Councilmen Yuri Rashkin and Sam Liebert several meetings ago suggested that Janesville be more restrictive than the state and proposed an ordinance that set hours from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. for all alcohol. But other council members proposed two new possible ordinances: one to mirror state law that automatically changes when state law changes and one that restricts the sales of all alcohol from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
-- A presentation on procedures to manage the wheeled carts that will be given to households when the city goes to automated garbage pickup later this year.
Mar 12, 2012 at 1:06 p.m.
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realist- on the park- like I said I have something in my cup anyway. Why not make it legal and sell it there and make some money for the park so we can afford to MOW IT.
"factsplease
Mar 10, 2012 at 6:58 p.m.
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"Wisconsin's rates of current use, heavy use and binge use of alcohol among adults remain the highest in the country.""
yep that stinks- but we are not all idiots and drink and drive and over indulge.
Mar 12, 2012 at 1 p.m.
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What is the big deal already.
I am sure some bring their own anyway so just make it legal.
Also 6 am- who cares. I see no diff vs 8 am.
Now move the fair so I can have wine! Our fair is a dump if you ask me. Go to Jefferson. parking lot- wow. Nice building.
The Carocel has been in the same exact spot for at least 40 years. Can't you change it up some or something?
Mar 12, 2012 at 11:42 a.m.
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The Golf Specialist can be watched on YouTube in its entirety (20 minutes). [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfm8gR12h... ]
Mar 12, 2012 at 11:34 a.m.
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rocket21 said, "driving carts into the creeks." You need to watch the 1930 W. C. Field's comedy, The Golf Specialist. [ http://imdb.com/rg/an_share/title/title/... ]
Mar 11, 2012 at 7:52 p.m.
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I will not drink at Dawson when I play this summer but I have no problem if someone does responsibly.
Has there been a mass increase in drunken golfers or Jets fans? If so, then I think the city needs to revisit the entire process. If not, pass it and move on.
Mar 11, 2012 at 2:32 p.m.
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So I have 3 beers at our sponsors after the game, or I have one a Dawson and two at our sponsors. If people are drinking after the game, not selling it at Dawson isn't going to prevent anyone from doing it. Maybe they can use the revenue to make some improvements to the fields. Not allowing alcohol sales at Dawson isn't going to prevent or solve any issues or problems.
Mar 11, 2012 at 2:04 p.m.
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Each of these alcohol related decisions the council is making seem like little things, but they are all little steps in the WRONG direction when you consider the problem that alcohol is for this state.
Mar 11, 2012 at 1:58 p.m.
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Uncle_Jesse, I don't know what to think about this issue, but you have to admit that it is also a fact that many people can not watch a ball game have a beer (or six) and a brat and get home with out being intoxicated.
Mar 11, 2012 at 1:56 p.m.
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Uncle Jesse, I don't steal things, so does that mean we don't need laws against it? It is always the few "bad apples" that ruin it for those who don't need rules/laws to behave. The FACT is that Wisconsin has a serious drinking problem and should take steps to control it.
Mar 11, 2012 at 1:18 p.m.
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If you dont want a beer.....simple dont drink it !
but dont try to control what others do !
The Fact is most people dont have a alcohol problem !.....and can watch a ball game have a beer and a brat and get home with out being intoxicated !... FACT .
Mar 11, 2012 at 11:44 a.m.
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The Jets games are family orientated and allow beer, Brewers, Badgers, Neighborhood block party that has an entire area devoted to children, etc. etc. etc.
How else can Wisconsin keep the tradition of Wasted alive?
Mar 11, 2012 at 9:39 a.m.
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Alcohol...it rules our society...what a bummer.
Mar 10, 2012 at 11:25 p.m.
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Long overdue. The Jets games are family orientated and allow beer, Brewers, Badgers, Neighborhood block party that has an entire area devoted to children, etc. etc. etc. Let's keep being competitive with other communities who do not seem to have a problem having alcohol and adult softball games.
Mar 10, 2012 at 9:15 p.m.
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automated trash pickup does this mean if it fits in the can you will pick it up or do I still get charged at the city dump that I already pay taxes on and I am being charged ON water bill as well. Because if I go to dump one more time and get charged I am not going to be a very happy camper
Mar 10, 2012 at 8:51 p.m.
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Binge drinking - we're No. 1.
Percentage of drinkers in the population - No. 1.
Driving under the influence - No. 1.
And often we have no clue how drunk we are. Consider, for example, 75 drinkers who took a breath test for the Journal Sentinel. About half underestimated their blood-alcohol level, and when they did, they missed by a lot - falling short of their actual results by an average of 35%. Many who were over the legal limit for driving expressed full confidence in their ability to get behind the wheel.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/3...
Mar 10, 2012 at 8:44 p.m.
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Special report Wasted in Wisconsin.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/30565984.ht...
Mar 10, 2012 at 7:58 p.m.
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The medscape link isn't working, so here is the same article.
http://oas.samhsa.gov/spotlight/Spotligh...
Mar 10, 2012 at 7:50 p.m.
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Alcohol creates nothing but problems. I'm in favor of leaving things the way they are. No alcohol in the parks. Wisconsin already gets a bum rap because of lax DUI laws. Do we really want another black mark?
Mar 10, 2012 at 7:50 p.m.
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"When it comes to acknowledging alcohol use disorders, Americans appear to be living in the land of denial, new research suggests."
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http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/7409...
Mar 10, 2012 at 7:47 p.m.
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"Communities can decrease alcohol-related fatal crashes by providing better access to substance abuse treatment while reducing the availability of alcohol in the community... The communities developed 15 different kinds of programs or actions that targeted alcohol abuse, including ... and enacting ordinances to prohibit public drinking."
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"communities that undertook concentrated alcohol interventions experienced significant declines in alcohol related fatal crashes"
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http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/NewsEvents/News...
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Mar 10, 2012 at 7:44 p.m.
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I have never heard of anyone not allowing beer at softball games until I came to this town. It is rediculous to not let adults drink at a ball game. If we don't want to promote drinking then I guess the Brewers shouldn't serve alcohol either. Alot more youth at a brewer game than at dawson field. City of unused parks because of the restriction on the alcohol. Wether it be a family reunion or birthday party people find other venues than the park because god forbid they would like to have a beer on a saturday afternoon.
Mar 10, 2012 at 7:09 p.m.
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We Pay Taxes for the buildings parks and schools , we should be able to have a beer at a sporting event . If you fail to act like a adult you'll end up paying for it . There is always gonna be 2 sides to the coin , I believe you will have happier citizens when they are free to make choices them selves about having a beer . Make it available , let people choose them selves !!!
Mar 10, 2012 at 6:58 p.m.
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"Wisconsin's rates of current use, heavy use and binge use of alcohol among adults remain the highest in the country."
http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/stats/pdf/a...
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"Wisconsin has the highest rate of drunken driving in the nation."
http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/safety/moto...
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http://www.alcoholscreening.org/Home.asp...
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http://signsofalcoholism.org/
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Mar 10, 2012 at 4:29 p.m.
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Just keep da booze away from dem old timers, ja?
Can't have em drivin dem big ol Caddies when de're sloshed.
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