NEWS
PACE discusses city keg registration
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Also by Darryl Schnell:
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Related Stories:
- City officials ponder future of keg ordinance (November 18, 2005)
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- PACE revisits keg registration ordinance (February 22, 2006)
- La Crosse passes keg legislation (September 13, 2005)
- Skidmore delays keg ordinance (October 17, 2005)
by Darryl Schnell
Wednesday, April 6, 2005
The Policy, Alternatives, Community and Education Project discussed keg registration and the Mifflin Street Block Party at a Partnership Council Meeting Tuesday afternoon at the University of Wisconsin Foundation Building.
Ald. Paul Skidmore, District 9, presented his proposed keg registration ordinance to the council. Skidmore said his goal in proposing the ordinance is to create productive discussion to curb the “free-flowing” alcohol in Madison.
“The ordinance will not limit anyone’s ability to buy beer,” Skidmore said. “Hopefully, it will encourage accountability on the part of the buyers.”
Skidmore outlined the procedural differences the ordinance would create for liquor stores and customers who purchase kegs.
Under the keg registration ordinance, a keg buyer must supply correct identification and fill out a form with specifics about where the libation will be located and a description of all the alcohol purchased. The buyer must also swear an oath stating the buyer will not allow any underage persons to consume the beer.
The ordinance would also require liquor stores to hold these records for one year and fix a tag to the keg stating the name of the distributor and the purchaser.
Skidmore said the records and documented names would make prosecution of illegal activity easier. Records would also be a means of detecting questionable party patterns, he added.
Dr. Aaron Brower, a professor in UW’s College of Letters and Science who has done research on binge drinking for the PACE Project, said the proposed ordinance can only help because it includes accountability measures.
UW junior Joe Steele, in an interview separate from the meeting, said he doubts the effectiveness of the proposed ordinance.
“It seems useless,” Steele said. “Not that trying to curb drinking at house parties is a bad idea, but it’s useless because students will find ways around it.”
Steele continued, commenting on the resilience of students.
“Kids are still going to get drunk, even if they’re registering kegs,” Steele said. “If they’re going to register kegs, they might as well register 1.75 (liter bottles) of Captain Morgan too.”
Madison Police Department Captain Mary Schauf also addressed the council and outlined MPD’s plans for Mifflin Street Block Party.
Schauf said the confusion of the date of the party would be costly for the city. Preparing for parties on two dates — April 30 and May 7 — forces the city to cover significant unbudgeted costs, Schauf added.
MPD enforcement April 30 and May 7 will be consistent with past Mifflin Street Block Parties, according to Schauf. However, Schauf said live music will not be allowed April 30.
Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said he has met with members of the Mifflin Street community to discuss the party.
“My perception is that [April 30] will be the big day,” Verveer said. “The music issue will probably be the biggest.”
Steele said he agrees the illegality of live music April 30 may cause friction.
“Not allowing live music is going to cause some conflicts,” Steele said. “[Live music] is what students expect and depend on for a successful Mifflin Street Block Party.”
