Why does Wake Forest need a social district?
We seem to have enough bars, breweries and restaurants who serve alcohol to satisfy current tastes while seated or standing.
But someone has discovered a great lack. A person cannot walk between an establishment serving alcohol to another site while sipping an alcoholic beverage. Obviously, that is an infringement on someone’s personal rights.
That is why the Town of Wake Forest is spending town employee time and money to plan a “social district.” That is why the town commissioners spend time examining the plans. That is why the town will have to buy more trash containers while it is overlooking the need for portable or even permanent urinals. Will more police officers have to spend their time walking and driving by the district or will the district have to spend money to supply off-duty cops? Where will that money come from, along with the money for all the badges, cups, signs and town employee time?
Where did this demand for a social district come from? A lot may be “me-too-ism,” if Apex or Franklinton or Raleigh has it we need it too.
My sneaky suspicion is that a few young male drinkers thought it over while imbibing, cornered a town commissioner (or he volunteered) and that is why the idea of a social district began. I do not believe a large segment of the town’s population even considered it. They would prefer a lower town tax rate, but the social district is already adding to the town’s overhead.
So, if you do not see the need for a social district – pandering to those who cannot be without alcohol for a few steps between bars – please respond to this editorial written without alcohol. I do have a couple glasses of white wine in the evening, but I’m in front of the TV in our own house.
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2 Responses
Social districts generate municipal revenue, and that’s the bottom line. The Op/Ed makes it sound like these bars don’t already exist, but now, all-of-a-sudden there’ll be new bars popping up on every corner and a few mid-block. The only thing that really changes is that you don’t get a criminal record for carrying an alcoholic beverage from one venue to another close by, which, let’s face it, is happening anyway.
If the program is properly administered, and the nervous nellies don’t ruin the thing, it should be a net gain for the town
For myself who does not participate in downtown night life or drinking culture, it would be easy for me to scoff and criticize the proposed social district and yell “less taxes!”
I would be interested in the reasons WHY all these other towns have adopted similar social districts, and have subsequently kept them. It’s not just swanky urban cities, but also smaller rural towns too. More than 50 social districts in NC and growing. Based on the list of them, it’s definitely not a red/blue issue. There is clearly a demand and incentive to plan, fund, and continue these programs.
Is it simply about freedom/rights of consumers/residents?
What is the data on improving the local economy, small businesses, tourism, etc?
How does it affect town culture/community building?
How does it affect crime rates, alcoholism, domestic violence, public property damage, etc?
Costs to the local businesses that do (or do not) participate?
These are some questions I would have before passing judgement on the proposal.