County suggests and approves adding beer to wine request for Art in the Park, then says “No”

[April 23, 2015]  LINCOLN - The Logan County Alliance recently requested that the board consider the presence of wine in Latham Park during the upcoming Arts in the Park Event in July on the 18th and 19th. The Logan County Board voted on the matter as part of their regular meeting Tuesday night.

The original motion to allow for the presence of wine in the park came forward from Scott Schaffenacher and was seconded by Pat O’Neill. The motion was then amended by the board to include the presence of beer. According to Chuck Ruben, there would be one brewer present in addition to the wine, which is why the motion needed to be amended. The amendment passed, with David Blankenship and Robert Farmer voting no.

Next was a vote to approve wine and beer in Latham Park for the event.

Gene Rohlfs asked what would be done if the motion did not pass. Cara Barr of the Logan County Alliance said that the tent would be moved across Pekin Street, closer to the library. Rohlfs also asked if any of the county board members had been part of the decision to have the alcohol in the park. Barr said they had not.

Farmer asked who would be responsible for liability insurance at the event. Barr said the Alliance would be responsible for providing insurance.

The motion failed to pass by the board with a split vote of six-to-six. Schaffenacher, Jan Schumacher, David Hepler, Emily Davenport, Pat O’Neill, and Ruben voted yes. Farmer, Rohlfs, Blankenship, Rick Aylesworth, Andy Anderson and Kevin Bateman voted no.

Board members present at the meeting were Chuck Ruben, Gene Rohlfs, Robert Farmer, David Blankenship, Pat O’Neill, Andy Anderson, Emily Davenport, Kevin Bateman, Jan Schumacher, David Hepler, Rick Aylesworth and Scott Schaffenacher.

[Derek Hurley]