HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 942 and Proposed bill 1128.msgGood morning Blair,
Will you see that the attached document be circulated to the City
Council and Mayor? I would like to have this entered into the public
hearing portion of the city council meeting this evening. Will you let
me know if I need to send this individually to the council members and
mayor? I have also pasted the text of the document in case it can’t be
opened.
Thanks,
Stephen McGary
March 18, 2015
To Rexburg City Mayor Woodland and Members of the City Council.
RE: Consideration of Proposed Bill 1128
I am opposed to proposed Bill 1128 as presented by City attorney
Zollinger. The bill proposes to eliminate the restriction of selling
alcoholic beverages on Sunday and to consolidate Ordinances 341, 342,
445, and 942. In the March 4, 2015 City Council meeting, City attorney
Zollinger and members of the City Council offered their opinions in
favor of, against, or neutral to the proposed bill. As I read the
minutes of that meeting and the discussion on this bill I observed the
following reasons given in favor of the bill (I note that there were few
opinions offered in opposition):
1. Allowing the sale of alcohol on Sunday is a simple way to
manage the alcohol sales in Rexburg and is a mirror of the state statue.
2. Allowing the sale of alcohol on Sunday will help the City
mitigate its struggles to bring hotels and family type restaurants to do
business here.
3. Allowing the sale of alcohol on Sunday will have a positive
impact on Rexburg’s economy.
4. Allowing the sale of alcohol on Sunday will be good for tourism
and the economy.
5. Allowing the sale of alcohol on Sunday doesn’t do anything to
the City of Rexburg; because liquor by the drink is not permitted in
Rexburg.
Note the common reasons given for eliminating the sale of alcohol on
Sunday is business and money. One Councilperson stated that “…Rexburg
wants to be known as America’s Family Community…” I would ask the Mayor
and City Council, what it means to be known as America’s Family
Community.
The American Family Community was established on the values of
Judeo-Christian beliefs and reverence toward God. Our nation was
founded by individuals who were predominantly Christian and who infused
those values into the Constitution and the culture of this nation. The
City of Rexburg, this American Family Community was established on those
same beliefs and values, perhaps even more than other city in our State
and nation. At the beginning of each City Council meeting a prayer is
offered, in which the City officers publically recognize and reaffirm
our faith and trust in God. Generally the prayer will ask for His
guidance and direction in administering the affairs of the City. In
addition to the prayer those attending the meeting stand and pledge
their allegiance to our nation that was created under the direction of
God. We can do better than just give lip service to God and then do
what we want to.
One of the principles of the Judeo-Christian values that our City and
nation were founded upon is simply stated as Remember the Sabbath Day to
keep it holy. We cannot control if and when a business is open –
indeed, that is the foundation for free enterprise. However, we have
the moral obligation to identify what is offered for sale and when the
sales can occur. That is why we have Ordinance 942. For six days
individuals are able to buy alcohol. But on the Sabbath we can at least
give up something as small as selling alcohol on that day.
The Judeo-Christian God is not against business or industry. In fact He
encourages us to be prosperous, to progress and to improve upon our
endowed resources. However, He does have some restrictions related to
our activities in our businesses. For example He wants us to be honest,
to be ethical, and too be responsible and accountable for our actions.
He wants us to observe the Sabbath day. History documents that drinking
alcohol on the Sabbath was not acceptable, hence the origin to Ordinance
942 and other similar ordinances in other cities across this nation.
I appreciate the view of the business owners and managers who want to
sell alcohol on Sunday. I appreciate Mr. Barnard’s comments and letter.
Corey and I are friends. I hope that our opposite views will not hinder
our friendship.
In Mr. Barnard’s comments he noted that many of the Sunday customers
(50%) leave Applebee’s mad because they can’t have a glass of wine or
beer. I would ask what about the other 50%? What are their feelings?
I wonder what they are thinking. Consider the following scenario of a
conversation and thoughts that could occur at Applebee’s with the “other
50%”:
Guest: “…and I will have a glass of wine with my steak.”
Waiter: “I’m sorry, we don’t sell wine or alcohol on Sunday.”
Guest: “You don’t sell alcohol on Sunday? Is that an Applebee’s
policy?”
Waiter: “No, it is the City of Rexburg’s policy. You can buy alcohol
on any other day of the week, but just not on Sunday.”
Guest: “Oh that is interesting.”
And then to the other guests “I wonder why the City of Rexburg has a
policy that you can’t buy alcohol on Sunday.”
And upon leaving Applebee’s as they are getting into their car and exit
the parking lot they notice on the hill a big white building,
silhouetted against the skyline. One of the guests turns to the other
and says “I wonder what that beautiful white building is on the hill up
there?”
By amending the current law (Ordinance 942) to allow alcohol sales on
Sunday will our city still be an American Family Community that
reverences God? Perhaps with our focus on business, tourism, money,
etc. we are distracted from becoming an American Family Community
instead, becoming a community seeking after popularity and money. The
Judeo-Christian principles also instruct us (our community) to be the
salt of the earth! As the salt of the earth we are to live our
religion, to be the savor in our communities and stand as witnesses of
those truths.
Just because our nation and our State are rapidly declining with respect
to degenerating morals and eliminating the existence or reference to God
publically, doesn’t mean we have to follow. We can be like the light on
the hill, standing for right. We can take the higher road in this
decision. We need to stand as witnesses of God and His laws at this
time. I invite the council members to take that road and reject Bill
1128.
With warm regards,
Stephen McGary
915 Hillview Drive
Rexburg, Idaho