either allow alcohol or dont. to charge me to do so, is just a "stupid fee". If we're gonna start those, a ton of people need to start writing me checks.

A picnic without beer? In Wisconsin? You must be kidding!

Ha! I'll drink to that TT...in one of the City parks...

You hope to give 110% effort. But those in the know, know you end up at about 80%.

I always give 110%...I assume he is referring to the other 10%.

How about the peeps who don't consume??

Um...90% + 10% = 100%. What other category?

I do indeed KP. Unfortunately when it's in public, you HAVE to account for the bad 10% as much and probably more than the good 90% to protect the people who aren't in either category.

"I do not want to pay more for rental fees for pavilions just so alcohol can be served. "
then don't that is your choice.
Lil- well said!

Great post li713. A small portion of people, using poor judgment, have an amazing ability to negatively affect how an activity is perceived. tthompson knows what I am talking about.

Wislady, I agree.

It's about time Janesville starts allowing alcohol in the parks. A lot of people I know use the parks in Milton because you are allowed to have alcohol there. I think not allowing glass bottles would be a good rule.

mbird425 - I think the main reason that alcohol is involved in so many of the things you listed is because the people and companies stepping up to volunteer their time and donate money to these events are local bar owners and beer companies. Additionally, selling beer that was sold to you at cost is a really good way to raise money for the events and organizations. In this area the local beer companies are HUGE supporters of a lot of events and organizations, the result is that beer is sold at events. Quite frankly, I've been to Rock Around the Block every year and have never witnessed any kind of major problem caused by alcohol. I am not as familiar with the other events, but I don't recall reading or hearing about major issues at these events where alcohol is sold.

I'm so sick of hearing "I don't drink, I don't think anyone else needs to either." That's your choice. You're free to make that choice. A VERY LARGE portion of the population is capable of drinking without excess, rowdy brawls, drunk driving, or requiring the involvement of the police. The more I hear this assumption from people, the more I think that the reason they choose not to drink is because they can't or they don't know people that can't. If that's the only experience with alcohol you've ever had, I'm real sorry to hear that, but stop forcing your judgments on the rest of us. Just because you had a problem, or knew someone with a problem, or see people places that have a problem does not mean that everyone that drinks has a problem. I drink. I've never driven drunk. I've never been arrested. I've never been in a fight. I've never been ticketed for disorderly conduct or disturbing the peace. Somehow I managed partake in the occasional alcoholic beverage without my whole life falling apart or the police being called.

Beloit has allowed alcohol in their parks for years and I haven't heard of problems resulting in discussions about banning it. I say we try it out and see how it goes. They're not proposing that anyone should be allowed to drink in the parks, only in conjunction with pavilion rentals in a few specific places. If it's a total disaster, they can always change it back next year. The parks would only really be used for these kinds of events a few months of the year anyway. I've rented a pavilion a few times, and quite frankly there was never anyone else at Riverside we would have disturbed even if we had been allowed alcohol and gotten completely out of control. Except of course the geese, but I think they can handle themselves.

mbird- why cant a couple people have a nice picnic with some wine?? I cannot see why we cannot do this anytime. Stupid. Oh because cannot fix stupid- I forgot. Guess I just keep my styro cup handy.

No leave it the way it is. Let me tell you why you allow alcohol in the parks it will invite trouble. I look at certain situations with bars in Janesville they have had trouble with violence and alcohol and I say were better off leaving alcohol out of the parks.

If the powers-that-be allow booze in the parks, I wish them luck! I don't drink or rent pavilions, so this doesn't directly affect me. However, if I go to the park to grill some chicken and corn on the cob. I certainly don't want to have to play somebody's mommy and clean up trash, watch out for broken glass and bottle caps, and listen to a bunch of whooping and hollering. If they do decide to go ahead with this, I hope they think it through and DO NOT ALLOW GLASS BOTTLES! I guess it's only fair to list pros and cons. On the plus side, maybe we will see a noticeable decline in the number of geese.

Right on Wislady...

Its early... im only half awake and had Berger Chevrolet on my mind....as long as I dont forget more than I can remember i'll be ok.

Sigma40 I do believe you mean Hamburgers.

What next....charge for using the toilets ??
Or maybe limit the number of toys the kids can bring to the park and charge more if over the limit ...
It also is totally irresponsible to include "expected" fees in a new budget.
This council needs to wake up to the real world.

"Late last year, the city council included in the 2013 budget $3,000 it expects will be raised from permits purchased to drink in the parks."

The council appears to have already "spent" the money. The only thing this increase will do, is cut down the number of people who rent a pavilions.
This article comes the same day as an article on (page 2A) with the headline..."State leads nation in adults identified as excessive drinkers". Why are we encouraging alcohol at events?

Bassinthumb I agree with you. When you tally up all the coat the city will have enforcing this we will more than likely go in the hole.

I don't have an opinion about allowing alcohol in the parks ( I could care less) but if the reason is to raise money, it a bad idea. I am guessing it will cost the city more than $3000 a year for the added police presence and other things due to the consumption of alcohol. It doesn't take long for little things to add up to more costs to the city. Bad idea!

I do not want to pay more for rental fees for pavilions just so alcohol can be served.
It is bad enough where the beer tents are allowed at functions and the adults are on the inside of the fenced in area and the little kids are on the outside not be tended to.
Most functions that take part at these pavilions are family oriented. Why do we need alcohol involved with everything Janesville does.
Laborfest
Taste of Janesville
Rock around the Block
4th of July

Example: Look at the church that competes with Janesville for the 4th of July. It appears more people show up there and enjoy themselves without booze.

I certainly don't have anything against alcohol, but please leave the parks as they are. I also believe this is another reason the families use these pavilions...knowing alcohol is not allowed.
Can you imagine renting one half of the pavilion, when on the other side is loud, drunk, obnoxious patrons of another gathering?

Why would you charge people to do so? Wow. How does what the people renting the pavilian (that we pay for anyway) make any difference? Beer or Koolaid should all be the same price. What next? Grilling hambergers will cost you more to rent the pavilian than if you grill hotdogs? Idiotic logic at its finest.