From Deseret News archives:

City delays vote on alcohol ordinance

Syracuse election will be held in November instead

Published: Wednesday, May 9, 2007 12:17 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
SYRACUSE — The Syracuse City Council unanimously decided Tuesday not to pursue a special election, which would allow residents to vote on the city's alcohol ordinance.

Instead, the election will be held Nov. 6.

The ordinance, which allows restaurants to serve alcohol for on-site consumption, came under fire by a group of residents shortly after it was enacted in February.

The resident group circulated petitions and gathered the 944 required signatures, which were certified Monday by Davis County clerk/auditor Steve Rawlings.

Currently, the city's alcohol ordinance is suspended until the November election happens, and the City Council recently suspended requests for beer licenses to a Winger's restaurant and a nearby golf course.

Rawlings' certification forces an election, which could have come as early as June 26. Rawlings cautioned the city about trying to hold an election that soon, saying the council should consult with the city attorney to figure out what to do.

Council members decided Tuesday that there wasn't sufficient time to prepare for a June election.

"This couldn't have come along at a more horrible time," said Councilman Danny Hammon.

Story continues below
The printing company requires 45 days to get ballots printed, which means a tight deadline and added stress for city staff in planning for an election in short order.

There is also a legal issue, Hammon said, adding that state code doesn't make it clear if the rules for regular general elections apply to special municipal elections.

Syracuse Mayor Fred Panucci wanted to hold a special election in June to get the issue resolved.

"Our town center is under development right now," Panucci said. "Our developers are deciding what pads to put down right now."

He said "major players" have already backed out of a development where a new movie theater is scheduled to be built.

"They're unsure of the direction Syracuse city is going right now," Panucci said.

He acknowledged that a June election might favor petition sponsors, but he said he would rather have businesses know where Syracuse stands, though it might mean a fast-food restaurant will come into the city instead of a full-service restaurant.

Councilman Lurlen Knight said he thinks there will still be opportunities for restaurants to come into the city down the road.


E-mail: jdougherty@desnews.com

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

previousnext

Latest comments

The reason that won't be the case is because, unlike your teams line, our...

This freedom of speech issue is enough to make me want to remain as a private...

4A: Springville holds off Dixie

What is everyone talking about? Good luck next game? I could have sworn I...

4A: Springville holds off Dixie

yeah, TV might be rude. but springville isn't smart for trying to compare...

Thanks, Robinson, for a laugh-out-loud funny article which makes a point then...

Aggies edge Weber State

WAC 1-0 vs the MWC this year, next week will be 2-0 for the WAC when Utah...

This weekend on TV

"Three Rivers" is an excellent program. I hope everyone will tune in!

A real man! What a pro that Mathis is! He's great! I thought Matthews played...

I wouldn't call Brown "big". Tall, maybe, but he's maybe the skinniest high...

Smoking up nationally, down in Utah

Tobacco prevention saves lives and money.

Advertisements
Advertisement