117 replies to this topic

[billsfan]

Don't most cities ban drinking alcohol in public parks or public property unless a permit is issued for the event or party? This is the law in most cities that I haved lived in. It does not apply to private property. Events such as the Rodeo, Thursday night markets, etc.. have the necessary permits to serve alcohol.

Thus I don't see the concern or is Folsom some special city were old outdated laws are not allowed to be updated?

[bordercolliefan]

I think this is where the "or something" comes in. Just wondering if a permit is issued does the requestor need to be insured or is it an open permit to drink no insurance attached, (which is why events seem not affected) I guess we just need to have a wait and see attitude.

When 4 or 5 houses have a block party a few times a year, I don't think it is realistic to expect them to go down to city hall and get a permit each time.

...With all the July 4th block parties that take place around Folsom, it would be interesting to watch City Hall try to process all those applications...

[Chad Vander Veen]

Alcohol: The cause of -- and solution to -- all of life's problems.

[Young Curmudgeon]

...With all the July 4th block parties that take place around Folsom, it would be interesting to watch City Hall try to process all those applications...

That was a source of disagreement between Howell and Starsky. Howell wants the police department to issue permits. Starsky wants another department because he's been told the PD has been very slow.

BTW, Miklos said he encounters drunken homeless every morning at his office. He said they've told him to his face that they come to Folsom because it's well-known they can drink and get drunk in public here. All the other surrounding communities in Sac County have open container laws, so Folsom is the best bet according to regular visitors to Sac County lockup.

[old soldier]

a couple of beers into the afternoon I got a solution...to have an open container in Folsom you got to be a registered voter or a property owner...that would lets us have our parties without a lot of paperwork and would make it illegal for the old homeless boys and girls to drink...

[mylo]

a couple of beers into the afternoon I got a solution...to have an open container in Folsom you got to be a registered voter or a property owner...that would lets us have our parties without a lot of paperwork and would make it illegal for the old homeless boys and girls to drink...

Pretty tough to enforce.. I don't know about you but I'm unlikely to carry my Title Deed around the 4th of July picnic.

[valdossjoyce]

... or is Folsom some special city...?

you betcha!

[ducky]

Don't most cities ban drinking alcohol in public parks or public property unless a permit is issued for the event or party? This is the law in most cities that I haved lived in. It does not apply to private property. Events such as the Rodeo, Thursday night markets, etc.. have the necessary permits to serve alcohol.

Thus I don't see the concern or is Folsom some special city were old outdated laws are not allowed to be updated?

Everybody else is doing it? Okay then. That's always been a good reason to follow along. We wouldn't want there to be anything unique left about Folsom.

We should strive to become so well regulated and politically correct in Folsom that anyone upon entering the city limits shall develop a wedgie.

[billsfan]

Everybody else is doing it?  Okay then.  That's always been a good reason to follow along.  We wouldn't want there to be anything unique left about Folsom.

C'mon Ducky, why is this so important to you. I enjoy my drinks as much as anyone else, and am perfectly happy to do that drinking in my house, backyard, local restaurants/bar, etc. I don't usually run over to the nearest park with a six-pack just because that is legal in Folsom. This ban on alcohol in public has many valid reasons that are more important that maintaining some unique image in Folsom. The concerns about block parties, etc. have all been addressed by other cities, and I trust our police to use their discretion.

[ducky]

C'mon Ducky, why is this so important to you. I enjoy my drinks as much as anyone else, and am perfectly happy to do that drinking in my house, backyard, local restaurants/bar, etc. I don't usually run over to the nearest park with a six-pack just because that is legal in Folsom. This ban on alcohol in public has many valid reasons that are more important that maintaining some unique image in Folsom. The concerns about block parties, etc. have all been addressed by other cities, and I trust our police to use their discretion.

Actually this particular issue isn't all that important to me. I've never brought a six-pack to the park myself. I guess it's the chipping away of our freedoms that bothers me. I think there was another poster on this thread that also echoed that sentiment.

While you may consider this an ordinance to promote living in a more civilized manner, it may be just one more step towards so much regulation that it feels more like living in captivity.

[mylo]

I agree with many of the previous posters who are raising a stink about this issue. In the small town I come from we often had concerts in the park. Families would come, kids would run up and down the hills, dad's would BBQ, and many brought a bottle of wine to share with their neighbours. It really created a unique community atmosphere, the same sense of community I first felt when moving to this unique little town.

I'm all for the reasons behind why they want this ban (transient intoxication), but I believe there must be a better solution than rolling Folsom up like any other s-hole town and treating it's residents as criminals just because they want a glass of wine.

Sadly, this issue will likely slip under the radar, because nobody wants to stand up and look like the alcoholic who can't have a good time without the bottle! Drinking is part of our culture and I believe many strong relationships have been formed over a glass of wine or a couple beers. I'd hate to lose the opportunity to build those relationships with some of you.

[billsfan]

There is nothing preventing the city from allowing alcohol at certain public events such as Thursday Night concerts. Nor is the intent to disrupt block parties or similiar community events. It is funny how people like to point out these minor problems, rather than focusing on the problems that this alcohol ban is really trying to address. Don't you think it is important in our family oriented community to pass such laws that keep our community safe, rather than protecting some utopian personal freedom ideals....

[mylo]

There is nothing preventing the city from allowing alcohol at certain public events such as Thursday Night concerts. Nor is the intent to disrupt block parties or similiar community events. It is funny how people like to point out these minor problems, rather than focusing on the problems that this alcohol ban is really trying to address.  Don't you think it is important in our family oriented community to pass such laws that keep our community safe, rather than protecting some utopian personal freedom ideals....

The problem with laws is that if they're vague enough, and money involved, someone is likely to start collecting it.

It's obvious block parties are not the goal of this law, but it IS the LAW! Sure, it's unlikely to be enforced, now, but why make it illegal to begin with? Because it's a shotgun approach to solving a problem? Instead of dealing with transients, or dealing with alcohol abuse, we can pass a law that bans it entirely. Then, if we ever get around to it, we can start collecting $100 from a guy at a BBQ just because.

Laws should be limited in scope to their requirements, and nothing more!

[Terry]

The problem with laws is that if they're vague enough, and money involved, someone is likely to start collecting it.

It's obvious block parties are not the goal of this law, but it IS the LAW!  Sure, it's unlikely to be enforced, now, but why make it illegal to begin with?  Because it's a shotgun approach to solving a problem?  Instead of dealing with transients, or dealing with alcohol abuse, we can pass a law that bans it entirely.  Then, if we ever get around to it, we can start collecting $100 from a guy at a BBQ just because.

Laws should be limited in scope to their requirements, and nothing more!

Wow, why not just look at it this way. If you want to drink, stay on private property, either your own or with permission of your neighbors. Even with block parties why would you drink while standing in the street? Guess I don't see what the big problem is. Common sense should prevail.

Drink on your own property, or get a permit.

[Orangetj]

It is funny how people like to point out these minor problems, rather than focusing on the problems that this alcohol ban is really trying to address. 

I'll ask it again...is there really a big problem this ban is actually trying to address? If there is, I sure haven't seen it.