McCall City Council voted in favor of extending its Fourth of July alcohol ban.
Last year, the city council passed a code that says “the possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in city parks adjacent to Payette Lake,” around the Fourth of July. Before this, the code said, “may prohibit.”
The rule goes into effect on July 3 at 8 p.m. and runs through July 5 at 8 a.m. every year, for the past seven years.
This year, the ban will be slightly longer.
What’s new?
The Fourth of July falls on a Thursday this year. Because of this, the council decided to pass a resolution to extend the ban through Sunday, July 7 at 8 a.m. for the 2024 holiday.
McCall Police Chief Dallas Palmer explained to the council why the extension would be helpful.
“One, it gives our resources more of an ability to maintain some safety and control within those areas of our parks,” he said. “Two, It provides the parks department, hopefully, a simpler opportunity in cleaning up those parks in preparation for yoga or the morning activities that will be taking place. And making sure our parks are safe and civil, and in a proper manner for our families to enjoy throughout the holiday weekend.”
All present council members voted in favor of extending the ban except Council President Colby Nielsen. He didn’t comment as to why he was against it but has voiced his opposition in the past.
The ban was originally put in place after large and rowdy parties on the water during the holiday. It includes Art Roberts Park, Legacy Park, Brown Park, Rotary Park, and Davis Beach Park.
