By James Massara

Bucyrus City Council held a public hearing to give local residents the opportunity to voice their opinions on the possibility of allowing the sale of alcohol sales on public sidewalks in a location immediate to the business selling the products.

The Bucyrus Platting Committee brought two ordinances to council with the recommendation to amend them to allow the sales.

The first ordinance would need altered to allow retail sales in the downtown business district’s right of way, specifically its sidewalks, and the second would allow dining and alcohol sales in the district’s right of way. Both amended ordinances would have several stipulations, according to a copy of the changes provided by Council Clerk Todd Hill.

Approximately twenty people attended the hearing with five residents speaking for council to amend the ordinance and one speaking against.

Bucyrus resident Larry Stinchcomb was one of the individuals speaking in favor of the changes.

Stinchcomb said his son lives near Greeneville, South Carolina, which has a similar ordinance allowing the sale and consumption of alcohol in public right of ways.

He said the businesses in downtown Greeneville serve in front of their stores and the downtown life is active well into the night.

“It will be a visible way for our community to be seen being together and enjoying fellowship,” he said. “It’s not all about alcohol, but people like to have a drink and it will help bring revenue to the local businesses.”

The other speakers gave similar opinions.

The lone opponent to the ordinances was the Rev. Bill Wert, pastor of The Lighthouse Baptist Church, spoke against the sale of alcohol in such a public way.

Wert said he is not opposed to the use of sidewalks for retail sales but is against the sale of alcohol.

“We have enough places that sell alcohol. Can’t we have one place where we don’t have to see that,” he said.

He added Bucyrus previously had reputations related to alcohol.

“We should not be known as a drinking town,” he said. “If Bucyrus is known for its trees or parks, that’s great, but I don’t think it should be known as a drinking town.”

Committee Chair Monica Sack told council the platting committee wished to move forward with the approval of the ordinance amendments.

The issue was sent back to the committee for further study. The next platting committee meeting is Aug. 3.