TO THE EDITOR:
Are our city leaders seriously thinking of opening up the same can of worms with the beer issue? I’ve sat silent for a while and let others do the talking, but now is the time for me to weigh in on the issue.
I’m sure this issue is in conjunction with the recently opened Park Theater and the desire to serve alcoholic beverages there. What message, as adults, are we sending to the youth of this community? That you can’t have a fun time unless there’s alcohol involved?
Aren’t parents and teachers usually trying to discourage teens from ever taking up drinking? As adults we need to be leaders in this community and help shape the leaders of tomorrow, not to encourage them to be drinkers when they reach adulthood.
Why do we have the DARE program? To teach kids to stay away from cocaine and heroin, but when you reach adulthood you can drink? No. I specifically remember alcohol also being a part of it and why kids should stay away from it. So did adults lie to the kids or should we encourage them to stay away from these things even into adulthood?
Fellow Christians you aren’t getting away from this either. I applaud the ones who stepped up last time, but the ones I’m addressing are those who are indifferent toward it.
Having the attitude of, “Well, it’s gonna happen sooner or later might as well allow it and tax it and get the revenue from it.” That’s one of the reasons this country is in the shape it’s in is by good people sitting by and not speaking up or taking action.
Do you want an establishment that serves alcohol next door to where you attend church? How about next to the school where your kids go? That’s what this issue is about. It’s about removing the 300-foot barrier between establishments that serve alcohol and schools or churches.
Our leaders, who we elected, are deciding these things for you. Some of them think it’s a good idea simply because it boils down to money and they think it will increase business. Do we really want bars or other establishments like that in our community?
If our city leaders really looked at the issue it’s not that we don’t allow alcohol at certain places, it’s that: a) our city is not located near an interstate, and b) not populated enough to open up a franchise. It’s a numbers thing for these businesses not an alcohol thing.
No good can come when alcohol is involved. So let us be shining examples to others and to the youth that you can indeed have a good time sober.
Stephanie Jones
S. High Street
McMinnville