The Village of Dennison hears mixed community feedback following a proposal for a designated outdoor drinking area that would encompass the entire downtown.
Under the proposal, the DORA’s hours would be Monday – Thursday from 4 to 9pm and Friday to Sunday from noon to 10pm. If the DORA is approved, an individual would have to purchase a designated cup, from a participating restaurant, but if they would like to enter another business or leave the designated area the cup must be thrown away.
Taylur Cunningham, a village resident and with the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum, was in favor of partnerships that could come as folks visit the museum for train rides.
“I think we’re just overall excited to enhance our downtown collaboration. We love it when we get to work with local businesses and I think this will only support that and just support the local businesses too.”
Kathy Norman also spoke in support.
“If you’re at Holy Moley and there’s nothing going on in town most people aren’t going to leave where they are. When people want to leave is when there’s something going on in town, and that’s when you’ll see, in my opinion, the traffic is if there’s something to go walk to.”
Another resident, Scotty Jones, was mixed in his reaction.
“I’d be in favor of having rules in place for events. What I can’t understand though is all the good things we’ve talked about here happened without booze and I’m having a hard time, and I’m not saying I’m against it, but I’m having a hard time understanding the benefits of just simply introducing alcohol where alcohol hasn’t been.”
Kathy O’Donnell disagreed with having a DORA.
“I don’t understand how the alcohol will enhance the city. I’m a teacher at heart and I think of the kids, and I know if people are on the street drinking that most of them will not get drunk but I’m sure there will be some and I just see kids watching, so I just don’t see a purpose in this.”
Following examples of DORA successes for larger communities and smaller ones, like Millersburg, Councilwoman Vikki O’Hara noted her concerns should the DORA be approved.
“I don’t want to condone drinking and driving. I think it needs to be responsible and I think we as a village have a responsibility and an obligation not only to our businesses but to our residents, and when you talk about some of these other places, how large are they and how large is the business district versus what we have here.”
Another opposing resident noted that most establishments selling alcohol have outdoor seating and many events have beer gardens.
Mayor Greg DiDonato says events can still get a temporary liquor license for their area and sell like normal, or, if the DORA passes, the organizer can participate in the DORA boundary by purchasing the special cups.
A vote is expected at Dennison’s Wednesday, November 19th’s meeting.
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