Ordinance May Keep Minors Out Of Liquor Stores
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The city of Jackson is looking to amend an ordinance that would crack down even more on underage drinking. Forked Vine Wine and Spirits store owner Michael Everett is one of many on board with a proposed amendment to an ordinance that would keep underage kids out of liquor stores unless they are with a parent, legal guardian or spouse. “Everyone in this business is trying to prevent the use of alcohol by underage kids because it’s a large problem that we’re doing everything in our power to stop,” Everett said. And that is what Mayor Jerry Gist said is his goal. He said keeping kids younger than 21 out of the stores will not solve the underage drinking problem altogether, but it is “one step in a mile-long walk to curb it.” Liquor store employees said that an ordinance would put less pressure on them when turning away large groups of teens looking to buy alcohol. “The biggest problem we have is these large groups of people coming in where one person’s 21, buying alcohol for all their underage buddies,” Everett said. “We ask for IDs and tell them if they don’t have one they have to leave, but now we can cite a legal reason why they can’t be here.” According to Everett, it will also keep teenagers from loitering outside his store. Lynnwood Wine and Spirits store manager Ralph Gray has been in the business for several years now and believes an updated ordinance is a good idea. “They have to be 21 to consume what we have so there’s no reason for them to be in here,” Gray said. City council members hope to bring up the proposed ordinance at their next meeting on November 8. It would have to go through two readings to be approved.
