Sunday Alcohol Sales Starting at 10 a.m. Gets Council Approval; Member Lowell Maxey Scolds Ordinance
By Jeff Toquinto on October 25, 2016 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
Yesterday, if you wanted to order of Bloody Mary or a Mimosa between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., you were pretty much out of luck at most Bridgeport eating establishments. This coming Sunday, that will officially change.
Monday evening, Bridgeport City Council approved the “brunch bill,” which allows for alcohol to be purchased in establishments – 
primarily restaurants – to serve drinks at that time frame. Yesterday and all previous Sunday required the time of 1 p.m. to be reached before drinks could be served, which is state law.
primarily restaurants – to serve drinks at that time frame. Yesterday and all previous Sunday required the time of 1 p.m. to be reached before drinks could be served, which is state law.
The ordinance was passed on final reading by the city’s governing body. It was one of four ordinances involving the bill. The first ordinance with its two readings was to allow the city to amend its Home Rule application to be presented to the Home Rule Board. Home Rule allows for cities that have the program to have ordinances that differ from the state with local control – or “home rule.”
Earlier this month, the West Virginia Home Rule Board approved 
Bridgeport’s request. On Oct. 10, Council then had the first reading of the ordinance that would officially allow it to become law. The second reading, which makes it final, was last night.
Bridgeport’s request. On Oct. 10, Council then had the first reading of the ordinance that would officially allow it to become law. The second reading, which makes it final, was last night.
The bill is supported by recreation agencies, including local groups. In July Scott Duarte, a regional representative of the West Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association, voiced their group’s support of the bill citing it as something those traveling through the area have requested.
While the matter had a little buzz when initially brought forth, it has drawn almost no comments – public or from elected officials – since that time. On every vote, however, all members of Council were for it and one member was against it. Lowell Maxey, the lone objection, had not spoken out on the matter publicly with his vote. 
That changed this evening, and it changed with dialogue that was filled with disappointment.
That changed this evening, and it changed with dialogue that was filled with disappointment.
With multiple members of Boy Scout Troop 40 in attendance, Maxey voiced his displeasure of the ordinance that would soon pass by a 5-1 vote after he spoke.
“The message we’re sending to the young men here and others is a bad message … If you’re business is dependent on alcohol sales between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., you have a bad business plan,” said Maxey.
No one else addressed the matter before it went to a vote.
For those businesses wanting to take advantage of the new ordinance, they don’t have to wait long. Passage of the ordinance means sales can begin this coming Sunday.
Council also approved a $91,000 contract for Wolfe Excavating, LLC that included a 20 percent contingency for the new city parking lot at Center and Main Street in property just off of Center Street and behind Simpson Creek. Haws said the high contingency is due to problems that could arise from the flood plain or once excavation begins.
“This company is ready to go to work from my understanding,” said Haws. “You could see work being done in a week or two.”
The contract does not include lighting for the parking lot. It also does not include a pedestrian bridge from the lot across the creek, which Haws said will have to be fabricated. He said that funding for that would have to be approved at a later date.
Also this evening, Council:
- Re-appointed Jeff Barger to the Bridgeport Development Authority for a three-year term.
- Decided to revisit at a later date a way to potentially provide funding for a request by officials from the Clarksburg Mission that will lead to a sober living facility in Clarksburg. City Manager Kim Haws said the city was advised by the West Virginia Auditor’s office that they did not have the authority to provide tax dollars to an entity of that nature outside the city’s jurisdiction. Barring approval by the State Tax Commissioner or the Attorney General’s office, Haws said it was staff’s recommendation not to provide funding. City Attorney Dean Ramsey said he found nothing that showed it could legally be done. However, members of Council – who seemed agreeable to some type of funding – asked Haws to check with those entities and also look if the city could get this as part of the Home Rule that allows the city to do things that aren’t allowed to be done by state laws.
- Heard from Steve Dunham about the Drug Free Club at Bridgeport High School. Dunham said that there are 205 members at BHS this year who take part in the club that allows students to randomly be drug tested between six and eight times per year. Dunham said last year, when there were 120 members, every drug test was negative. The program costs roughly $14,000 a year and last year Mayor Bob Greer said $5,000 was committed to it. Dunham asked for a $3,000 to $5,000 contribution and added that it will be introduced in all high schools next year and begin the introductory process at the middle school level – likely Washington Irving – in 2017-18.
- Recognized Fisher Rector of Boy Scout Troop 40 for his achievements. Rector has amassed the maximum merit badges that can be earned by a Boy Scout. More on this later on Connect-Bridgeport.
- Heard from community and civic leader Ruth Allen about this Saturday’s food drive benefitting the Shepherd’s Corner. Click HERE to read Julie Perine’s story on that.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows Council member Lowell "L.J." Maxey voicing his displeasure over the "brunch bill," while Steve Dunham provides an update on the Drug Free Club of America at Bridgeport High School. Bottom photo shows Father Benny Kappa of All Saints Catholic Church giving the invocation.
