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Council OKs beer at homecoming events
(by Andrea Cordle, Southwest Editor - June 22, 2010)
Each year the city of Grove City hosts homecoming events, including a street party in the Town Center and an alumni softball tournament at Fryer Park.
Each year, council votes on whether to waive city codes to allow the sale of alcohol. At the June 21 meeting, council unanimously agreed to waive the rules and permit the Grove City Kids Association and the Grove City Sertoma Club to sell alcohol at the events.
Resident Dick Rutherford questioned that decision. He said the city is sending the wrong message to children.
"You're telling children that you have to have liquor to have a good time," said Rutherford.
Councilman Steve Bennett said the sale of alcohol would be in a designated and monitored area. He also said the homecoming is an adult event.
"Keep the children at home if they're offended," said Bennett.
Grove City Mayor Richard "Ike" Stage said he struggles with this issue every year as he is not a proponent of alcohol.
"I don't like it better than anyone else, believe me," said Stage.
The mayor said the reason the city waives the regular code, of no alcohol in public places, is to control and manage the consumption. He said in the past, the city had not allowed the sale of alcohol and people either would bring their own beer or pack the bars on Broadway to the point of safety violations.
Stage added, "This is not a beer bash, it is a community event."
Joe Wise, police chief with the Grove City Division of Police said there were a few isolated incidents last year during the homecoming event. He said some of the incidents involved minors consuming alcohol, but noted that the minors obtained the alcohol illegally.
The street party will be held on July 23. The softball tournament will be held July 24-25 at Fryer Park. In the event of rain, the event would be postponed until July 31 and Aug. 1.
In other news
Council approved an ordinance to set aside $50,000 for the Town Center commercial revitalization grant program.
In March, the city expanded a grant program and set aside $50,000. The program was designed to assist business owners improve their property. The city would match grant dollars ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.
The city has already awarded $46,000 in grant money, with about 15 more applicants waiting for approval.
Chuck Boso, the city's development director said they have exhausted the funds from
March. To continue the program, council passed the motion to spend $50,000.
"The program is fulfilling its goals," said Boso.
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