City allows theater to serve alcohol

Alcohol will continue to be served through special permits at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, despite imminent city ownership. \nThe Bloomington City Council voted 8-0-1, with council member Timothy Mayer absent, to amend a city code that does not allow the consumption of alcohol on city property Wednesday night. The new amendment creates an exception to the rule allowing alcohol at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. The Theatre Café inside the theater is run by Bloomingfoods, which obtains temporary permits to sell alcohol at the café several times a year for various events. The only other exception to the rule is the Clubhouse at Cascades Golf Course, which sells beer and wine. \nThe historic theater will officially become the city's property Jan. 1. The city has subsidized the theater for years, but because it does not create much revenue, it will take over total ownership from Indiana Theater LP, a partnership between the Bloomington Area Arts Council and Steak n Shake, according to a Sept. 30 article in the Herald-Times.\nResponding to council member questions, Deputy Mayor James McNamara said the city would not be liable for any patron injuries resulting from intoxication. Instead, liabilities would fall in the hands of the group that manages the theater, BCT Management, Inc.\n"BCT Management would have to pay because the city requires them to have liability insurance," McNamara said.\n

Council opposes social security changes proposed by president

\nCouncil members Chris Gaal and Chris Sturbaum co-authored a resolution that also passed Wednesday night, urging Congress to reject President Bush's plans regarding the privatization of social security.\n"There is good reason to believe that the privatization of Social Security would reduce benefits and increase poverty," Gaal said.\nHe said privatization goes far beyond a national issue because it could adversely affect Bloomington residents.\n"We have been criticized in the past for making resolutions beyond the scope of city business. But these issues will have local impact. Of course it is our business," Gaal said.\nHe said this resolution was also the result of concerned community members voicing their opinions to council members. \n"This is the most accessible level of government. It's part of us being responsive to our constituencies," Gaal said, noting that extensive privatization would increase state and local taxes.\nSturbaum spoke of social security's history and the importance of preserving the system. \n"I think this is a defining issue in what kind of country we're going to be in the future," Sturbaum said. \nCouncil member Jason Banach provided counterpoints, suggesting that privately investing some money could be a beneficial way to supplement Social Security benefits, while council member David Sabbagh criticized the discussion as "a political rally" and "a waste of time." \nThe resolution passed 6-0-2 with Banach and Sabbagh abstaining and Mayer absent.