I spoke at my town's Board of Commissioners meeting to petition against the creation of a downtown Social District, which will allow people to take open containers of alcohol into public right-of-ways.

I am against this because not only is it already legal for people to socialize over drinks (I also don't have a problem with responsible drinking), but also because my town staff, and a few Commissioners, are convinced that enticing people downtown using more alcohol is the only way to boost downtown's economy and "vibrancy." I also believe that this is another step to erode my town's family-friendly atmosphere.

My full remarks are below:

"I’m standing before you tonight because I am concerned about the proposed Social District. I have nothing against responsible drinking or the businesses that sell alcohol, but there seems a priority for the town to be alcohol-centric instead of family-centric. I’d like to respectfully remind the Board that there are already fifteen businesses who serve alcohol in a .2 mile radius.

Over the past several years, I’ve watched my beloved town move away from cultivating an atmosphere for families. Friday Night on White has become alcohol-oriented and the Board had to create a new policy to address unattended minors and their parents who are socially distracted.

The social district will be in effect Thursday to Saturday, noon to nine. Where do families who do not drink go to be social on weekends? What of the people who have alcohol-related traumas and now face alcohol on the streets? It’s already legal for people to visit one of the fifteen venues who sell alcohol, socialize over drinks, then go another place and socialize and drink some more. Why is there a need to carry alcohol openly Downtown? What of the increased risk of overconsumption of alcohol, alcohol access for minors, public loitering and littering, lawlessness, and increased drunk driving?

Again, I have nothing against responsible drinking or against the businesses that sell alcohol. The town can create a social district that contains more seating and allows people to build community. Authentic relationships and being social does not require a bottle.

Therefore, I encourage the Board of Commissioners to vote AGAINST a Social District. Thank you for your time."