Shawano County, Wisconsin News

COUNCIL VOTES TO ELIMINATE UNDERAGE DRINKING IN THE CITY OF SHAWANO


In a bold move, the Shawano City Council unanimously approved an increase in the penalty for those under 21 caught drinking within the city limits. The move was prompted by a substantial increase in the number of citations issued last year and the resulting workload increase in the municipal court.

Municipal Judge David Winters asked for the increase when he noted that the previous fine of $180 was not enough of a disincentive for those under 21 choosing to drink.

When Mayor Marquardt was asked if these additional funds would be used to provide educational and other programs to help curb this problem, she indicated it was not necessary. “ The fact that these fines are now high enough, the problem of underage drinking will be eliminated by 2012” She also indicated that by placing this revenue in the general fund, the average homeowner should see a 59 cent decrease in their property taxes.

The mayor was extremely pleased that this action was finally taken and noted that this boost along with the revenue generated by the increase in the issuance of temporary liquor licenses for Little League Tournament and other youth events will “keep property taxes in check”

Police Chief Ed Whealon was confident that most parents will be able to come up with the funds to pay the $240 fine but also noted that, if not, “we have the ability to issue an arrest warrant and place the minor in a suitable detention center for as long as it takes (for them to come up with money)”

Judge Winters predicted that by 2012, the municipal court will only have to be in session once every other month further reducing taxes.

In other action, the council authorized the City clerk to estimate the amount of revenue the city could receive if the “non marital sexual intercourse” ordinance was better enforced although several alderpersons questioned whether this has ever occurred within the city other than the recent prostitution ring that was busted. In the interim, Chief Whealon is requesting that citizens report any suspicious activity by friends and family to the police department and to be especially aware of those persons claiming to “have to work late tonight”.

Whealon added it has been a long time since anything like that has happened in the city of Shawano.