Should alcohol be allowed at Newman fundraisers?
Russ Morgan, russ@emporiagazette.com
Friday, October 14, 2011
A decision on whether to allow alcohol to be served at fundraisers for Newman Regional Health was delayed by Lyon County commissioners until they get wording for the resolution from the Atherton & Huth law firm.
The resolution was discussed at Wednesday’s study session at the request of Steve Atherton.
“The resolution that Mr. Atherton informed (Assistant County Counselor Mike) Halleran and I that he would draft for proposed language was not delivered, so we do not have that resolution,” said Marc Goodman, county attorney.
Commissioners discussed concerns they had heard from the public about the proposed resolution and expressed some of their own thoughts on the matter. Commission Chairman Scott Briggs said he received a call from a citizen expressing displeasure with the proposed resolution.
“She brought up some really good points,” Briggs said. “... Her point was that we’re supposed to be promoting health at the hospital, and yet we’re serving alcohol. And we’re trying to teach our kids that alcohol and drugs are unacceptable, but yet at a function at Newman Regional Health they’ll serve alcohol.”
Commissioner Teresa Walters spoke of similar worries, especially concerning her work with Emporians for Drug Awareness. The unfortunate reality, she said, is that alcohol is a social lubricant and can help raise money.
“Folks have found that when they’re trying to get money out of people’s pockets, they’re more likely to open their wallets when the alcohol is flowing,” Walters said, adding that she hopes that if the resolution does pass, the alcohol issue will be handled responsibly. Walters also had heard from concerned citizens, and said she was glad people were getting the message from EDA.
Commissioner Rollie Martin said the same concerns had occurred to him, but he also had different thoughts.
“When we had the tax discussion on the mill increase, we charged them with the idea of raising money privately, and I guess one means to raise money privately is to socialize in a reception-type manner,” Martin said. He added that for situations involving alcohol, it is the individual’s responsibility to take care of himself.
After the discussion, Goodman advised commissioners to place the item on next week’s agenda.
Fanestil annexation
After a short discussion, commissioners also voted 3-0 to pass a resolution allowing the city of Emporia to annex 12.5 acres of land for the the project to move Fanestil Meats. The city wants to annex the land to allow Fanestil’s to build a new facility so it can move out of the flood plain next to the Cottonwood River where the current factory stands. The project is dependent on a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency that is currently being appealed.
“We did discuss yesterday the fact that if the project stalled, the land would remain under the annexation of the city of Emporia,” Briggs said. “And if something happened that there’s a new landowner they could probably go back through and annex it back to the county if they so choose.”
Action also was taken to arrange for the remodeling of office space in the Annex building for the Court Trustee. Halleran explained that this space is needed for office space and storage of files and casework the Lyon County Attorney’s Office is required to maintain.
“We’re out of room,” Halleran told the commissioners. “We have to keep our records, but we also have an intern and we need to have room for her to work. We’ve filled up all of the space we’ve been given.”
Commissioners agreed to accept a bid from Emporia Construction and Remodeling, Inc. for $10,700 for the project.
A change order for drainage work around the Bowyer Community Building was presented by Zoning and Flood Plain Management Director Sam Seeley. The change order, for $1,146 to APAC-Shears, is to correct a problem for a catch basin that was installed at the wrong depth.
“This is to correct a problem in design,” Seeley said. He explained that a grate needs to be installed above the basin to allow water to drain and to keep pedestrians from getting caught in the basin.
Commissioners approved the change order 3-0.
Also up for consideration was a redistricting of the county. County Clerk Tammy Vopat explained that the process of redistricting needs to be reviewed every three years, and it’s up to commissioners whether it’s necessary or not.
Walters said the goal is to keep the population within each district as even as possible.
Goodman explained that by state statute, counties are subject to redistricting every three years to support and maintain the equal distribution of voting.
“The districts are to be kept as compact and equal in population as possible,” Goodman said. “The districts as they exist right now, the second district is the largest at 12,107, district three is next with 11,443 and the first district is the smallest with 10,140.”
After discussion, commissioners voted to leave the districts as they are.
In other business, commissioners:
- Appointed Skip Evans to the Emporia Community Foundation.
- Approved the Burnap Bros., Inc. bid to repair a leak on the six-inch exterior fire line at the Lyon County Health Department.
- Approved the lease agreement between the Kansas Department of Corrections and Lyon County for two office spaces in the courthouse basement for two years.
- Approved warrants payable in the amount of $155,837.
- Approved payroll payable in the amount of $221,874.
- Approved payroll withholdings payable in the amount of $150,812.
Glitterbird (anonymous) says...
Alcohol is legal, let them serve it.
October 14, 2011 at 3:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Malique (anonymous) says...
YES!!! Let them serve booze. This shouldn't even be a question. While we're at it, let's allow the liquor stores to be open past 9pm as well as on Sundays. There is no reason for these silly laws.
October 14, 2011 at 4:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rabblerouser (anonymous) says...
Fund raiser.....heck yes....let's loosen up those purse strings with a little booze!
October 14, 2011 at 6:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
What a predicament? DARE, (EDA), just had to stop taking money from the Eagles club fundraisers because they served booze, but now it's kind of hard for the hospital to raise money without it.
Of course alcohol should be allowed, as long as the proper temporary licenses are secured, and state and local laws are followed. If they are going to compete with local hospitality businesses, they should follow the same rules.
How you going to handle this one Teresa? So many hypocrites, so little time.
October 14, 2011 at 8:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
romano1784 (anonymous) says...
Commissioner Teresa Walters spoke of similar worries, especially concerning her work with Emporians for Drug Awareness. The unfortunate reality, she said, is that alcohol is a social lubricant and can help raise money.
Alcohol is a 100% legal product for those of age to purchase and drink it. Stop with this "for the children" crap when it's stated on the bottle "Not for consumption for minors". How about instead we teach kids real life for once? When you are old enough you can drink, drink in moderation and don't drive but enjoy having some fun.
Commission Chairman Scott Briggs said he received a call from a citizen expressing displeasure with the proposed resolution.
Really? From one person? Just on this page in a week you will see over 20 people advocating for it! One person are you serious? Steve you feel the ground going down quickly as we all tumble down the "slippery slope" we talked about with the smoking ban?
October 14, 2011 at 10:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
Just how many children will be at these fund raisers. They can serve drinks at the zoo fund raiser but not at a hospital fund raiser ? I don't remember my kids getting an invitation to show up with their check book. WAKE UP ! this is an adult affair, get a life....
October 14, 2011 at 10:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jamesbordonaro (James Bordonaro) says...
Does anybody know what William Allen White's position on Prohibition was? I saw the Ken Burns' documentary and White is quoted but that appears to relate to the inability of private charities to give further relief during the Great Depression and requesting assistance from the federal government.
October 14, 2011 at 10:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
James, I have not seen this documentary, or the w.a.w. quote. Would you explain how it pertains to this issue? Is it anything close to this?
Any one who has a fundraiser knows that more money is raised when there is a little booze involved. It doesn't have to be a drunken brawl, but a glass or two of wine or a beer or cocktail can go a long way to making a fund raising goal.
The county commission raised our tax levy this year and gave the hospital taxing authority. Not all of what they wanted, and they tasked them to raise some of the needed funds privately.
Now the hospital wants to do this fund raising and they know that part of it would be allowing reception type fundraisers with some liquid lube available.
So what's it going to be county commissioners?
Are you going to let them do their fund raising?
Or are you going to raise the mil-levy next year to raise the funds through tax dollars?
MY thoughts;
My earlier mention of hypocrisy stands true.
Commissioner Walters and her friends have no qualms about using TAX dollars from the sale of booze for THEIR anti drug and alcohol programs. But the mere suggestion of allowing alcohol at a different voluntarily attended fundraiser has her and her friends questioning the value and morals of it.
Please tell me how this is not being a hypocrite?
October 15, 2011 at 8:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
Steve
You're right!
October 15, 2011 at 8:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
netloafer,
On this one I know I'm right. and it's sure to pi$$ some people off. Here is an example of why I am for this.
For two years the "Denim and Diamonds" fundraiser has been at the Emporia country club and they have done VERY well in their fund raising for the hospital. I don't know how much it cost to host the function up there, but it had to be a good chunk of change.
If that function could be held on Hospital property, more money would go to the needed project, instead of paying for the cost of the fundraiser.
October 15, 2011 at 8:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
Please remember mother 'T" at the next voter turnout......I just wish she had the same passion for something that would move Emporia forward.
October 15, 2011 at 10:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
o
October 15, 2011 at 10:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jamesbordonaro (James Bordonaro) says...
Steve,
I believe W.A.W. was quoted in the Burns' documentary to reinforce the point that many people of that day viewed the loss of revenue from taxes on alcohol (combined with increased government spending to fight organized crime and bootleggers) as an unsound fiscal policy. I believe you and our esteemed editor are on the same page. (couldn't resist the pun)
October 15, 2011 at 5:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
James
Progressives of the early twenties were able to get the income tax law passed in 1913 with the help of church groups and prohibtionists. It was an interesting alliance. The church groups and prohbitionists didn't care too much about the income tax law, but worked for its passage because they knew that if it passed prohbition would be much easier to get passed with the help of progressives. It worked. When all was said and done income taxes more than made up for the loss of taxes on alcohol.
October 15, 2011 at 6:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Richie (anonymous) says...
This is a moot point. In my current job, and and as a participant in many a local charity/fundraiser, alcohol is always served. Obviously, you want to prevent drunkeness. However, some of the biggest contributors give more after that last glass. Just make certain taxis are readily available!
October 16, 2011 at 7:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
custom (anonymous) says...
Hell yeah! We need more drunk doctors. What a dumb idea.
October 16, 2011 at 9:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Sail,
Isn't Briggs your commissioner?
He heard from ONE constituent and " She brought up some really good points.”
(for a prohibitionist)
And we’re trying to teach our kids that alcohol and drugs are unacceptable, but yet at a function at Newman Regional Health they’ll serve alcohol.”
HELLO, SCOTT,
Alcohol and drug use by CHILDREN should be discouraged.
Alcohol use by adults is "UNACCEPTABLE"?
I have not seen too many children attending local fundraisers such as those mentioned here.
This matter is so trivial, and I would expect anyone with any common sense to see that and allow some cocktails to be served at fundraisers. But then we are talking about our county commission, aren't we.
I would suggest that Teresa should get her friends with the air quality monitors to check for toxic fumes from the fancy wood paneling and expensive carpet in the commission meeting room at the court house.
Because it seems sometimes the decisions made there are made under the influence of something.
Cannot wait for the next election !
October 17, 2011 at 6:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
Taxis are not needed. Emporia PD hauled home a certain drunk judge and his college pick ups from Bruffs, for free ,many of years. It's either who you know, or who you......... Come on BOYs don't get your panties in a twist, Get them drunk & take their money. They'd take yours !
October 17, 2011 at 7:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )