Alcohol sales restricted

GARFIELD - The safety of the students, staff and parents of Garfield Elementary School is “paramount” to city officials, according to councilman Gary Blackburn, in explaining his reasoning for proposing an ordinance restricting the sale of alcohol during school traffic times.

Garfield City Council members approved an ordinance restricting the sale of alcohol on school days. The ordinance passed unanimously.

“That school is the heart of our community,” Blackburn said, adding that Benton County Sheriff Kelly Cradduck and constable Grant Hardin both expressed support for the ordinance.

“Things are changing in Benton County, things that are beyond our control. But, this is something we can control,” Blackburn said, explaining that he has lived across the street from the school for 30 years and sees the amount of traffic on U.S. Highway 62.

Three businesses in Garfield - The Bus Stop, The Short Stop and Village Market - have applied for permits to sell alcohol.

Two of those businesses are next to the school.

Mayor Laura Hamilton said the ordinance was drafted by Blackburn and written by city attorney Joanne McCracken.

The emergency clause was enacted, the ordinance will be in effect immediately.

According to Ordinance 149: “The City of Garfield prohibits the sale of alcohol, beer and wine before 8 a.m. and between 2-4p.m. on all days that are regularly scheduled school attendance days for the students of Garfield School as part of the Rogers School District. Sales of liquor, beer and wine for off-premises consumption are prohibited on Sundays and Christmas day.”

Sellers of alcohol, beer or wine shall also be required to obtain a “privilege license” for $15 for retailers whose total annual gross sales does not exceed $1,000. An additional $5 shall be assessed for sales which exceed $1,000 but not $2,000.

“There wasn’t a discouraging word,” Blackburn said of support for the ordinance.

News, Pages 1 on 03/13/2013