October elections are on the horizon, and the Bethel City Council is attempting to prepare for what would happen if the local option ballot measure to ban the sale of alcohol passes or fails. On the night of Tuesday, June 26, an ordinance to strengthen security requirements for liquor stores and bars went down to defeat in a tie vote.
At one point during the meeting, council member Mark Springer and Mayor Richard Robb tried to amend the ordinance to only require one security guard, which failed in a two to four vote.
Springer raised concerns about the potential costs of cameras and uniformed guards. Some council members had privacy concerns about retaining security camera data. The ordinance failed in a tie vote of three to three with Springer, Raymond "Thor" Williams, and Vice Mayor Fred Watson in opposition.
At the same meeting, a separate proposal was introduced to reinstate an alcohol use tax, should the local option ban pass.