Town Moves Toward Allowing Alcohol at Events

Beer and wine may soon be served and special outdoor events in Summerville, following town council's unanimous approval on first reading Wednesday night.

Calling the proposed ordinance imperfect, Mayor Bill Collins said details would be better hashed out during an impending public hearing, which will take place between now and the next regular meeting in September. 

The mayor spoke emphatically in favor of the ordinance. 

"Alcohol is legal as far as I know," he said. "I do remember that Jesus — from my Baptist background — turned water into wine." 

Councilman Walter Bailey wanted to know if the measure would include drinking outside for town restuarants, but Collins said that was something the public hearings can discuss. 

While the members discussed extra effort on the part of the town's police department, councilman Aaron Brown said he didn't think it would cause any extra cost to the town to allow drinking at special events. 

"The response that we would get from increased tourism ... would offset the costs of the public safety," Brown said. 

According to Collins, similar ordinances allow drinking during special events in Mount Pleasant and Goose Creek.