Petition seeks to ban alcohol in family theaters

An initiative petition that would prohibit family-oriented movie theaters from serving alcohol has been finalized by the Springfield city clerk.

The proposed ordinance originated with the Springfield DWI Task Force, an independent advocacy group. Springfield Zone 2 City Councilwoman Cindy Rushefsky is a member of the task force and a proponent of the potential ordinance.

The petition originated in 2009.

Rushefsky said a family-oriented theater is one in which at least 25 percent of ticket sales come from minors.

Wehrenberg Campbell 16 Cine, 4005 South Ave., is the only theater in town that would be affected by the ordinance were it to pass.

The petition needed 1,181 valid signatures, and as of Dec. 22, 1,184 signatures were verified by the city clerk, according to a a news release.

The City Charter dictates that City Council now has 30 days to either adopt the proposal as an ordinance or place it on the ballot for the April 5 municipal election.

Though Rushefsky said she would be voting in favor of the ordinance if council decides to bring it to a vote, she said she would prefer the issue be brought before the voters.

"I think that would be the better approach no matter what your feelings are about it," she said. "I think this is one where council needs to stand aside and let the people speak."

Council is expected to take public comment on the proposed ordinance at its Jan. 10 meeting, with final action to be taken by its Jan. 24 meeting, the release said.[[In-content Ad]]