Council approves temporary beer license for Bridging the Gap Recovery League after debate

The Delavan Common Council approved a temporary retailer's beer license for Bridging the Gap Recovery League to sell beer at the Cinco de Mayo festival in Phoenix Park in May 2025 despite explicit objections from some council members.

An unidentified council member voiced opposition on public‑safety and sobriety grounds: “I just think that it really is a bad idea for the city to allow people in recovery from alcoholism to sell beer at festivals. So I just needed to say my piece. I am not for this at all.” Other council members and the meeting record reflected a different view: supporters said the group could use the fundraising opportunity as an outreach point and that license rules and server training limit overserving. One speaker with event/licensing experience said such temporary licenses require not serving intoxicated persons and that an organization familiar with recovery issues could responsibly identify and assist attendees.

Council members asked about precedent and typical applicants for temporary licenses; staff noted that in prior years Friends of the Bandshell and St. Andrews had applied for similar temporary licenses for concerts and community events. The applicant’s coordinator said he intended to use proceeds to support the organization’s mission and that he had discussed safeguards with council staff.

Following discussion, the council approved the temporary license. The meeting record shows supportive council members framed the license as a potentially innovative outreach tool while dissenting members stated they were uncomfortable with the optics and potential risks.

The license approval was conditioned on the standard temporary‑license requirements, including police‑department oversight and prohibition on serving obviously intoxicated patrons.