Nick McWilliams reporting – Following initial discussions of a zone in downtown New Philadelphia where certain open containers would be legal, some community members and business owners expressed their concerns.
A group, led by Alleycats Marketplace and Fresh the Market owner Jim Knisely and his wife Debbie, want to allow downtown patrons of certain establishments to carry specified containers of adult beverages from participating vendors within a certain radius during allowed hours.
While the group features business owners in the area, other storefront holders are not as pleased with the notion, such as National Furniture’s John Reed, who says that city council members won’t deal with the brunt of any issues from a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area.
“[In 40 years in the area,] I’ve broken up fights. And this is during the daytime, when I’m there. I’ve broken up a fight, I’ve had drunks fall down, bust their faces. And this is before you’re letting anyone come out with beer.”
He adds that whole he understands the idea, he doesn’t feel it will help bar owners in the long run, and feels a DORA will cause more headaches than it’s worth.
Another resident, Josh Davis, said that he feels there needs to be more upfront conversation with the community on the proposed area.
He also says that all business owners should be asked about the idea, and all opinions should be expressed.
“If one guy can bring it up, one guy [should] be able to take it down, right? He [Knisely] has the same vote I do, doesn’t he? I just think before the councils decide on it, it should go to a public vote of some sort.”
Council reiterated that more public hearings outside of council will be upcoming.
Others expressed concerns of using alcohol sales as a marketing strategy on the downtown area and effects it could have on younger generations.
Knisely went on record stating again that no cities that have a DORA that he talked to had issues with increases in crime or public intoxication.
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