An introductory ordinance banning open containers from downtown and the McKinley and Simcoe strips goes back before the City-Parish Council Tuesday evening. District 3 Councilman Brandon Shelvin, who represents downtown Lafayette, pulled the ordinance out of a batch of intro ordinances that will be voted on as group, allowing the go-cup ordinance to be discussed by the council as well as the public.
A source close to the council tells The Independent the ordinance, which failed on a 5-4 vote Sept. 21, may fare better this time around. In the intervening two weeks, council members who voted against the ordinance in September have received emails and phone calls from downtown business owners as well as citizens who support the prohibition. As recently as Monday an email was circulated among downtown business owners urging them to keep the pressure on.
“We certainly think that this ordinance would be a benefit to the downtown area,” the email reads in part. “We are contacting council members, downtown businesses and friends to express our support for the ordinance. We would appreciate it if you or someone on your staff can contact the council members to express your support.”
The same source tells The Ind that District 1 Councilman Purvis Morrison, who won the mayoral election for the city of Scott on Saturday, is likely to switch his vote and approve the ordinance, although the source says final approval of the ordinance, scheduled for Nov. 2, is not assured. Morrison, however, could not be reached for comment early Tuesday; his cell phone’s voice mail is full, likely with congratulatory messages related to his election victory over the weekend.
Yet the ordinance still faces public opposition. Several opponents of the measure, including residents who have registered their opposition on a Facebook page — “Save the downtown go cup” — spoke up for the status quo at the Sept. 21 CPC meeting. Several of those opponents have registered their intention to attend Tuesday’s meeting and again lobby against the ordinance.
... written by woody , October 05, 2010 - 05:13 pm
what a shame that a few (or many in this case) irresponsible animals ruin it for the rest of us. Seems like we should focus on enforcing the many other cause and affect laws such as public intoxication, littering, loitering, etc instead. I think this will be the beginning of the end for downtown, including Downtown Alive! and of course Festival International.....
... written by Preaux Geaux Cup , October 05, 2010 - 06:44 pm
So now that Mr. Morrison has won his mayor's race, he's ready to sell out? How you like those apples?
... written by woody , October 05, 2010 - 08:41 pm
Write you are Preaux Geaux. But....If they must, maybe they should think outside the bun and think about shutting down go cups after a certain hour at night....and enforce the other laws...
... written by CC , October 14, 2010 - 06:32 pm
Downtown lafayette will lose alot of money if this ordinance passes. Banning containers of alcohol will not improve the trash downtown or the rowdieness. Like woody said, we should just enforce other laws like no littering.
... written by shannon , October 26, 2010 - 02:12 am
I don't think law upon law upon law being passed is going to help anything if the laws that are already in place can't even be enforced to the correct standard. I agree, the other laws such as public intoxication and littering should be enforced.
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