Council OKs drinking ban in city of CJ
From our weekly issue dated May 13, 2009
An ordinance banning public drinking within city limits -- effective immediately -- was approved 5-0 by the Cave Junction City Council during its 39-minute meeting Monday night, May 11, in city hall.
The ordinance is effective at once because of an emergency clause. Kerby resident John Bowler protested the clause. He told the council that he could see no reason for declaring the matter an emergency.
Passage of the new rule was greeted by enthusiastic applause from the 18 citizens in the council chamber. Patricia Castle, of Ollis Road, was among the city residents who had been asking for the ordinance. She spoke on its behalf during a brief public hearing Monday night.
“I think it’s about time,” she said. “I’m all for it.”
Ron Peralta, a city resident on Hanby Lane, asked Mayor Don Moore how the ordinance would be enforced. Moore replied that the city previously lacked the authority to have sheriff’s deputies dump the beverages of public drinkers, but could do so under the new ordinance.
“That’s the first step,” Moore said. “If you take their alcohol away, I think they will go away.” Moore emphasized the importance of passing the ordinance prior to the summer tourist season.
The council had passed a previous public drinking ordinance on Feb. 23 that was less strict. Bowler had supported that measure. However, Section 3 of the new ordinance repeals it.
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In other matters, the council voted 5-0 to:
- Approve a request from the Illinois Valley High School Alumni & Friends to use a public address system during its July 5 picnic at Jubilee Park.
- OK’d a resolution extending the city’s Workers Compensation coverage to city volunteers.
- Passed a resolution entering into a three-year contract with City County Insurance Services (CIS), the city’s longtime carrier. For the first year, the cost will be approximately $32,000 and includes general property, liability and vehicle coverage, said City Recorder Jim Polk.
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