No vote on alcoholic beverage limit in parks

By DREW STAMBAUGH

Enterprise News Editor

Swanton Village Council last week tabled an ordinance that would have limited where alcoholic beverages could be sold in village parks. They did, however, approve an ordinance establishing training requirements for selling the beverages.

The proposed legislation would have limited alcohol sales to at least 150 feet from a playground. Selling alcohol in the open pavilion at Memorial Park, which is the plan of the Swanton Corn Festival Committee this year, would have been banned with its passage.

Councilman Deacon Dzierzawski had, at past meetings, voiced is opposition to selling beer close to where children will play. He said he is not against having beer at the Corn Festival, he just thinks it could be in a different location.

Former Lucas County Juvenile Court Judge Andy Devine spoke at the meeting and stressed that adults need to send the right message to children when it comes to alcohol.

Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Neil Toeppe voiced concerns over what the effect of the ordinance may be on the Parties in the Park. He said the ordinance would "create a burden for Parties in the Park" and may lead to their demise.

Dzierzawski said that was not his intention and added that Party in the Park appeared to meet the parameters of the ordinance during the first party of the season.

Some council members did not think the ordinance was would accomplish what it was intended to.

"With the size of the Corn Fest and children being all over the park, I am not sure that we would accomplish what we seek to accomplish," said Council President Scott Haselman. "That's my concern at the moment. I don't know if this would serve the purpose you are seeking to serve."

Some also questioned the necessity of the ordinance.

"I feel that the chamber and Corn Festival have done everything possible to send the right message," councilwoman Pam Moore said. "The park is the park. It doesn't matter if there's a slide over here or ball diamond over here. I don't think 150 feet is going to make a difference because the message sent is the right message."

Councilman Mike Rochelle also questioned the need for the ordinance. He said that with no major problems being reported there was a not a need to change anything.

Council did pass the first reading of an ordinance that will required a person trained in selling alcohol to be on hand whenever it is sold.

Other business

* The second readings of ordinances declaring the necessity for street lightning assessments and leaf collection assessments were approved. The ordinances will go on the books after three readings.

With approval the street lighting assessment will increase $2 per year to $23. David Pilliod voted no on the ordinance, which was approved 5-1. The cost increase is because of the increased annual cost of providing street lighting, according to officials.

Leaf collection assessments will remain $15.50 per year per property owner.

* The third and final reading authorizing additional funds for the Hallett Avenue demolition project was approved.

* Resolutions were passed to allow the village administrator to apply for loans. The first is to apply for a low interest loan with the Ohio Water Pollution Control Loan Fund for EPA mandated improvements to the village's wastewater treatment plant.

The second resolution is to apply for a zero interest loan or grant with the Ohio Public Works Commission for the same improvements.