Utah's 'private clubs' on way out?

"It's nothing to be embarrassed about," Balmforth said, pointing out there are more than 500 "dry" jurisdictions around the country. "I think that's information we ought to have as a commission instead of being shamed into making changes,"

Balmforth said a proposal drafted by the commission staff to turn private clubs into "public dining clubs" or "public night clubs" didn't take into account many of the concerns raised about easing liquor restrictions.

"I see no provision for accountability here," she said. "Alcohol is controlled for a reason."

She said "everybody pays the price" for allowing alcohol consumption, including increased crime such as drunken driving.

"It's like those concerns are being completely blown off," Balmforth said, in favor of what she described as anecdotes from private club customers "miffed" at having to acquire memberships.

"We need to go back to first principles," she said, "and consider all of the people in the state of Utah."

Balmforth also balked when Commissioner Gordon Strachan said he wanted to look at getting rid of the so-called "Zion curtain" barriers in the bar areas of restaurants. Often just made of glass, the barriers are intended to separate liquor displays from customers.

She said the choice was between making restaurants store their alcohol out of sight of customers as the law now requires, or saying "there are no holds barred and have fully functioning bars in restaurants."

Strachan said the barriers "just make us look silly and sound silly." The governor, too, has questioned the need for the practice but said recently it might take a another legislative session before that issue could be addressed.

Commissioners are expected to consider both the private club and barrier issue again at their next meeting, set for Aug. 27.

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