Sparks flew in Bluewater council chambers on Monday night (June 18) when councillors discussed the municipality’s alcohol policy.
Among debates about changes to the policy which designated tournaments serving alcohol as high risk events, and a requirement for organizers to use wristbands as opposed to stamps to mark attendees, Mayor Paul Klopp indicated his concerns that some of the policy changes could serve as a deterrent for people wishing to use their facilities.
Councillor Tyler Hessel said that he believed that by integrating the reccomendations, they were being proactive.
In discussions about the particulars of some of the verbiage changes to the policy, Councillor Scott Harris took issue with the organization of the report, indicating that it was cumbersome to cross reference and navigate.
He asked that they postpone the discussion in order to allow time for a more fulsome understanding of the alcohol bylaw.
However, Hessel was insistent that the changes made to the policy were largely linguistic in nature and generally eliminated minor technicalities, not warranting postponing the discussion.
Harris’ confession that he hadn’t had time to properly review the material prompted some harsh words from Councillor Bill Whetstone.
Ultimately council accepted the report as information and moved to bring back the policy with all changes distinctly highlighted to the September 3rd meeting.
Written by: B. Shakyaver