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By Myrna Trauntvein The proposal to change the ordinance to allow beer to be sold at the grand arena at the county fairgrounds failed on a two to one vote. “I don’t drink,” said Marty Palmer, commissioner, “but I do go to a lot of rodeos.” He said that of all the rodeos that he attended there were only a couple that did not allow beer in the grandstand. A few of his friends drank and they were good people. “People are sneaking it in now,” he said. “I do support control over the sales, like a bracelet or a punch card.” Travis Kenison, Juab County Undersheriff, said that the state regulated sales. Patrons had a number and the state tracked that number. In addition, if a beer garden was the method of sale, not too many people were going to drink too many beers at a typical charge of between $6 and $12 for a standard pint of beer. Palmer said that law enforcement thought allowing the sales would be easier for them to manage than the way things were presently with people sneaking around to drink beer. “We are talking about the large arena and not the fairground in general?” asked Jamie Garrett, county fair and events director. That was the case, said Clinton Painter, commission chairman. Painter said he had several concerns. One of those would be selecting a beer garden provider that would not just sell at the rodeo but at other large events. “We would need to have an RFP (Request for Proposal),” he said. Additionally, the county would need to have a portion of the proceeds and the provider would also need to have insurance. “If we are to pass the amendment to the ordinance, I would be adamant that it be a beer garden,” he said. Marvin Kenison, commissioner, said he was a parent who had a son whose life was taken by a drunk driver. The driver was not an attendee of an event at the fairgrounds but was a person who was driving drunk. “I am surprised that there was not more support for having a controlled area,” he said. “I can see the benefit of both sides.” He had worked as an EMT and as a volunteer helping people park cars at the Ute Stampede and had seen people who were sneaking alcohol. “You can’t restrict a person’s free agency,” he said. Painter said he would want there to be tables and a designated area where people would enter to buy the beer. Lee Mills also addressed the commissioners with his concerns about the modification to the ordinance. Karl Brough said that the commission needs to be proactive. It is a moral issue. The question becomes, are the commissioners becoming reactionary? “Are we to test every person?” asked T. Kenison. “There are always people who will sneak beer in. At $14 a beer it is expensive at a beer garden.” Palmer said he thought that officers could tell and would know who was who--those who were coming and going legitimately. Mike Morgan [not the chief of police] asked if permission was given for beer to be sold would the next thing be cannabis? Melanie Cowan, county treasurer, asked what the fine would be. Jared Rowley, county attorney, said that the courts had a list of fines for certain unlawful acts. One of the things that could be written out at the arena would be illegal possession. “When you allow them to drink lawfully,” said Sheriff Drake Underwood, “it is no longer unlawful.” He said that what would be needed from the county was a policy and procedure. People often carried around big drink cups that were insulated and those would need to not contain alcohol. Some places require that they be empty. Another question was what about the private sponsorships that were displayed at the Ute Stampede? Some had been for alcohol in the past, said Brough. “The clown pops out of a Coors Beer Can,” he said. Palmer made a motion to adopt the change to the county alcohol ordinance to allow the sale of beer at the grand arena. M. Kenison made the second, and Painter called for a roll call vote as is required for all ordinances. Palmer voted “aye,” Kenison voted, “nay,” and Painter voted, “nay.” “The motion failed on a two to one vote,” said Painter.
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