This week Seminole decides whether to let alcohol sales begin at 11 a.m. and include the hard stuff.
By JULIANNE WU
Published September 21, 2003
SEMINOLE - If the City Council vote this week goes as expected, residents will be able to buy alcoholic beverages at 11 a.m. Sundays, beginning next weekend.
Seminole would be joining other Pinellas cities that have loosened their Sunday blue laws.
The first reading of an ordinance to amend the city's blue law is 7 p.m. Tuesday in the city building (formerly the old library building) at 9199 113th St. N.
A second and final reading, public hearing and a subsequent vote by the City Council is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday in the same place.
John Elias, Seminole's city attorney, said the proposed ordinance, if passed as written, would mean establishments such as bars, restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, golf clubs and other establishments could sell alcoholic beverages beginning at 11 a.m. on Sundays. The ordinance includes businesses that sell packaged hard liquor, he said.
"It is my reading that the City Council is in favor of it," said Elias.
Mark Ely, city planner, said if the ordinance passes Wednesday, "it could go into effect immediately." Also, he said, he didn't "sense any opposition from the City Council" when it first came up at a workshop two weeks ago.
Council member Pat Hartstein said, "I don't have a problem with it. I support it. It allows for equal opportunity for city businesses. I don't want to disadvantage anybody."
Peter Bengston, another council member, said he's going to support it. "I feel people have a right to use their businesses. The blue law might be a little old. I think it's time to change it."
Many other municipalities in Pinellas County still follow the county laws: No alcohol sales before 1 p.m. and no sales of packaged hard liquor all day.
There have been discussions on a countywide level that that might change, too.
Stan Mioduszewski, who first wrote a letter to the Seminole City Council three weeks ago about relaxing the law, said "I couldn't be happier if it passes."
Mioduszewski, who owns the Park Lounge, a bar and liquor store at 8556 Park Blvd., said he was surprised the proposed Seminole ordinance would include the sale of packaged hard liquor on Sundays. That's something he's been hoping for.
