The East Baton Rouge Metro Council unanimously passed the long-disputed ordinance Wednesday that will ban drink specials after 10 p.m.
The council voted 10-0 to pass the ordinance with four amendments.
The amendments moved the time the ban begins from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., excluded casinos, omitted the first paragraph in order to exclude restaurants and allowed bars to sell drinks up to 60 percent off the retail price.
The ordinance, which is supported by the Campus Community Coalition for Change, also bans bars from offering free drinks, holding games involving alcohol or advertising alcohol-related promotions.
The ordinance will go into effect when Mayor-President Kip Holden signs it.
Nancy Mathews, CCCC director, said her only comment on the outcome is that she is pleased.
Mathews and two members of Mothers Against Drunk Driving spoke to the council about why they think the ordinance is necessary.
Michael Clegg, an attorney representing the alcohol industry and bars, spoke on behalf of all the bars and told the council that the alcohol industry was pleased with the compromises included in the amendments.
Michelle Gieg, Student Government president, told the council that she supported what representatives of MADD, the CCCC and the alcohol industry had said, but she said the council should consider other alternatives to help students and the neighborhoods where students live.
“This isn’t about alcohol, it’s about what the city is doing to create safer environments for students,” Gieg said. “You don’t help students make better decisions by limiting the choices they have to make.”
Three other students spoke to the council against the ordinance.
Bradley Aldrich, LSU alumnus who graduated in 2004, told the council that passing the ordinance could increase alcohol-related problems in residential areas because house parties may increase.
“We want to talk about all you can drink – that’s what a keg is,” Aldrich said.
Scott Ledet, law student, said he did not agree with passing the ordinance.
“The ordinance is not going to accomplish its stated goals,” Ledet said. “There are a lot more ways for students to drink.”
Rachel Schott, mass communication sophomore, also said she thinks the ordinance will change after it becomes enforced.
“The ordinance with the amendments will work out for the next few weeks, maybe months,” Schott said. “Students will find a way around it. The bars will find a way around it.”
Contact Ginger Gibson at [email protected]
This article was published March 23, 2006.