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Emergency Ordinance To Ban Alcohol On Sunset Beach Shot Down

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By STEPHEN THOMPSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 26, 2009

After an unusually large number of spring breakers swarmed the small residential community of Sunset Beach this year, Treasure Island officials drew up an emergency ordinance prohibiting alcohol on the beach there.

This evening, the council shot down the idea.

Hundreds of people showed up at a council meeting to discuss the proposal; only eight spoke in favor of the measure.

The ordinance would have banned alcohol on the public beach from Sunset Vista Park to Blind Pass, said Treasure Island City Manager Reid. The ordinance would have made violators subject to a fine up to $500, a jail sentence up to 60 days, or both.

Silverboard said Sunset Beach has been overwhelmed for the past three or four weeks by spring breakers, with 1,200 to 1,800 people on the beach per day. The rule would have only lasted 60 days; a permanent ban would have required a public referendum.

Most of those who spoke this evening, though, said the problems were manageable and that an alcohol ban could hurt the area's economy.

Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at spthompson@tampatrib.com or (727) 451-2336.

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