Published: April 01, 2009 11:06 am      

Coalgate cracks down on drinking

Coalgate — In light of Governor Brad and First Lady Kim Henry’s statewide initiative to crack down on crystal meth (crystaldarknessoklahoma.org), Coalgate City Council unanimously approved a social host (liability) ordinance during their regular meeting Tuesday night.

In 2008, Senate Bill 1530 passed in Oklahoma State Senate. State Senator Debbe Leftwich, author of the bill, said, “This legislation holds adults accountable for hosting teenage social gatherings.

“With this bill, we are increasing the responsibility and accountability of an adult provider to an underage child in Oklahoma. SB 1530 also makes supplying low-point beer, the favorite drink of teenage drinkers, to minors against the law. There are provisions in the bill for people hosting parties who have taken all reasonable steps to prevent consumption.”

In tandem with the state law, several Oklahoma municipalities passed their own city ordinances. “At a recent council meeting, members of the Youth Advisory Board for the Choctaw Nation (of Oklahoma) asked the council to pass a social host liability ordinance for the City of Coalgate,” City Manager Roger Cosper said.

The youth represented 2M2L (2much2lose.com), a statewide initiative focused on “reducing and preventing underage drinking through law enforcement efforts, community and social norms change, and youth leadership.” According to their website, social host ordinances have passed in many municipalities across Oklahoma. With help from grassroots efforts, city officials are gaining knowledge and understanding of how this law can help prevent underage drinking parties by holding the “host” of the party liable.

Cosper said, “This bill amended the definition of “alcohol” by adding low-point beer. Police must have probable cause. Previously penalties were applied only if a child died or suffered great bodily injury. The law targets adults who serve alcohol to minors at social gatherings without considering the child’s alcohol limit or possible consequences such as drug use, drunk driving, or alcohol poisoning.”

Another key issue was a resolution which authorized Ellis Ritchie, Attorney at Law, to acquire easement interests in property by power of eminent domain for purposes of the Caney-Coon Creek 2M Floodwater retarding structure project. The project is also known as Coalgate Lake Dam.

“This is a delicate situation with some of the property owners. We need to do everything we can to sit down with them and hear their concerns,” Mayor Mike Elkins said. “Perhaps our attorney could meet with them and answer any questions they might have about the project.”

In legal terms, “eminent domain” is the right of a government to appropriate private property for public use, usually with compensation to the owner. Council member Muriel Parker said, “In essence, in order for our attorney to represent us in this matter, he wants this resolution passed so that he can call a pre-trial conference with the landowners,” Cosper said. “All this resolution does is establish a need. We’ve offered every landowner the same amount of money. The money is available now. We don’t need to belabor this decision. In two years, the funds might not be available.”

The resolution passed, 3-1 with Elkins voting against it. Councilman Joe Ward was absent.

Also high on the Council’s agenda were recent improvements to fire, ambulance, police, and other city emergency services.

“The city gave us $5,000 to spend on a new firetruck,” said David Holt, fire chief and head of operations for emergency services. “After getting some estimates, we determined that the cost of a new truck was too high. So our volunteers purchased the skids and a flatbed with their money. We didn’t use the city money.”

“We need to look into what it would cost to build a shed to cover the firetrucks, police cruisers, and ambulance that are parked out back,” Elkins said. “We also need to consider offering EMT classes here in Coalgate. Can we currently offer an EMT class here or do we have to go to the Pontotoc Technology Center in Ada?”

“Ada and Coalgate are in two different regions,” Holt said. “Coalgate is connected with Atoka.”

“We’re working on getting an EMT class here,” Cosper said. “Also, along the lines of police services, we recently hired a new dog handler for our K-9 Unit. He’s going through training now and will soon be ready to go on patrol.”

Other issues included capital improvements, planning and zoning concerns, and the installation of new water pumps. The Council also approved an estimate to repair the Community Park Building’s roof which was damaged during a recent storm. FEMA declared Coal County a disaster county so repairs to the Community Park Building roof were approved due to the fact the building is a storm shelter.