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It's Practically A Miracle After Years Of Wrangling

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By TOM JACKSON

tjackson@tampatrib.com

Published: November 28, 2008

One hesitates to praise the work of any governmental body, at the risk of sounding encouraging. Nonetheless, in the case of the New Port Richey City Council and its recent decision regarding event-related alcohol sales in Sims Park, This Space is willing to expend the risk.

Whether and how to end the park's dry status has been the subject of prolonged, difficult and oftentimes exasperating debate spanning multiple election cycles, a variety of council compositions and even a referendum in 2000. Time and again, alcohol proponents were beaten back by a teetotalers coalition reminiscent of the bizarre alliances - preachers and illegal still operators - that once kept countless hundreds of Deep South counties dry.

Then, at a meeting last week, a crack. And through that crack, at last, flowed a miracle. New Port Richey found a way to turn soda into wine ... and beer.

Of course, few good miracles occur without the willingness of participants and observers to amend their sense of the possible, and this one was no exception. Finally, the horse preceded the cart; eggs were divided among baskets; and a bird in the hand emerged as sufficient.

In short: Pragmatism reigned. Sensing a mood conducive to bold action, alcohol's advocates acted, well, anything but boldly.

In fact, and to the majority's enduring credit, they were downright modest - reasonable, even. The headline should have read: Advantage Assured, Local Government Does Not Overplay Hand. Quick, somebody send a tape of the meeting to the House Financial Services Committee.

Instead of fruitlessly blasting away from their trenches - the "whether" portion of the argument - council members chose instead to massage the "how" aspect. It took the careful layering of provisos and limitations, but as the proposal's shape formed and solidified, it looked decreasingly like the Hydra That Gobbled Community Dignity and more like Winnie-the-Pooh toasting Tigger with a fine California chardonnay.

Prohibition Repealed

The result was a Build-a-Bear ordinance, one so big-eyed, cuddly and inoffensive you couldn't decide whether to frame it or tuck it under the covers and sing it to sleep.

With the possible exception of Councilwoman Marilynn deChant in the role of Carrie Nation, the compromise ordinance that squeezed out a supermajority offered a bit of something for everyone.

Alcohol-related security, safety and park rehabilitation costs will be borne by event sponsors. Only beer and wine will be available for sale, only in restricted areas and only under the auspices of state-certified not-for-profit groups. Only six events in the next dozen months will qualify for alcohol sales, and the decision of the city council about who gets the permits is absolute.

Good News, Bad News

Then, the game-clincher: The ordinance contains a time-release poison pill, a sunset provision that ends this hybridized test drive in December 2009. Even those who had spearheaded the campaign to defeat alcohol sales in 2000 couldn't muster an appetite for a fight under these restrained circumstances.

Conventional wisdom among chamber of commerce tall hats is that the city's anti-alcohol stance turned off hotshot sponsors and doomed Sims Park events to minor-league status. The good news is they have 12 months to prove the merit of their theory.

The bad news is they have 12 months to prove the merit of their theory.

Columnist Tom Jackson can be reached at (813) 948-4219.

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