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Rock Springs council votes down open-container extension for holiday events
Summary
After debate about public safety and past event outcomes, the City Council rejected a request to allow open containers downtown and at Bunning Park for the holiday period, with a 3–6 roll-call vote.
The Rock Springs City Council voted 3–6 on Nov. 4 to reject a Parks & Recreation request to allow open containers downtown and at Bunning Park from Nov. 29 through Jan. 1 to coincide with Christmas in the Park. Councilors Thompson, Hickerson and Hanson voted in favor; six other council members opposed the change.
Councilor Bingham moved to remove the request from the table; that procedural motion passed unanimously. An amendment to limit the proposed allowance to weekends failed for lack of a second. In the substantive vote, proponents argued the event last year was successful and should continue; opponents, including Chief Bill Erspamer of the Police Department, raised concerns about alcohol promotion and potential enforcement issues. Chief Erspamer said it would be hard to answer whether arrests increased without researching calls but stated he did not support alcohol at the event.
Councilor Milonas said he was surprised by the proposal and warned the city was appearing to promote alcohol consumption; Councilor Zotti said the event had been successful and said he wanted it to continue as before. The failed motion ended the item without adopting new open-container permissions for the holiday series of events.
The council proceeded to other agenda items, including budget adoption and multiple resolutions.
