Thomasville council approves alcohol sales at Pace Park

Aug. 19--Councilmen Ronald Bratton, Neal Grimes, Scott Styers and Joe Leonard voted for the measure while councilmen Raleigh York and Joel Pierce voted against the changes.

"This would allow for the sale and consumption of alcohol at Pace Park," City Manager Kelly Craver said before the vote.

Alcohol will still be prohibited in the parking lots near the park, at 8 Memorial Drive, or any other areas surrounding the park.

On May 19, the board voted 4-2 to allow alcoholic beverages in the amphitheater area of Pace Park, but to change the ordinance on a first reading a supermajority vote is required. A vote of 5-2 would have been required for a supermajority.

"We had a council person out that night due to illness," Craver said. "That's how (the motion) ended up in front of the board again this month."

Councilwoman Pat Shelton was the board member not in attendance. Monday's vote only required a simple majority because it is a second reading.

According to the permit rental rules and contract for Pace Park, which was proposed in May, the "sale of malt beverages and unfortified wines are only allowed by nonprofit organizations with proper North Carolina ALE permit." A certificate of liability insurance will have to be provided to the city before any event that involves the selling of alcohol and at least two off duty Thomasville police officers must be on duty during any event where alcohol is sold.

"When we approved sales of alcohol at the farmers market, we discussed for several months various requirements and restrictions, because we were concerned about safety and we were concerned about the image it might portray," Styers said. "We feel like we have put in place a set of guidelines that protects not only the people who are there, but also anyone that is in the area."

Councilman York also talked after the meeting about why he was against the proposal.

"I don't support alcohol sales," he said. "I know when this came up originally, there were several statements made about trouble that would happen in these areas with the type of events that you may have, and the statement was made by one of the council persons at the time that it's not if it's going to happen, but when. I don't think I should be endorsing something that we think is going to be a problem at some point."

Pace Park, which includes the amphitheater and farmers market, was built on land purchased by the PACE (People Achieving Community Enhancement) civic group. Once the construction of the two structures was completed, using both private and public funding, the organization then gave the properties over to the City of Thomasville.

Craver said the City Council voted to allow alcohol sales and consumption in the town's farmers market approximately five years ago. Prior to Monday's vote, the farmers market and Finch Field were the only city-owned properties where alcohol consumption and sales could occur.

Craver said at Finch Field, alcohol can only be sold and consumed during Hi-Toms games. The Farmers Market is created by the Davidson County N.C. Cooperative Extension and all other events at the building are hosted by the city of Thomasville.

In other action by the board:

--Unanimously passed a resolution of support relating to the Davidson County Business Park.

--Called for a public hearing set for Sept. 15, for the consideration of street access to Welloske Drive.

--Unanimously approved the minutes from July 21.

--Modified cemetery rules in regard to interments and fees.

--Pat Shelton was not in attendance due to illness. It was an excused absence.

Wil Petty can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 227, or at [email protected]. Follow Wil on Twitter: @WilPetty

___

(c)2014 The Dispatch, Lexington, N.C.

Visit The Dispatch, Lexington, N.C. at www.the-dispatch.com

Distributed by MCT Information Services