Say it ain't so...Beer sales at the Pier?

I'm sure I'll hear it for this one but here it goes.

First, I'm sure the council or mayor or whomever didn't just come up with this idea on their own. Whether it is a money thing or peoples request, the idea had to come from somewhere.

Second, there's plenty of public establishments that serve alcohol and are ran successfully. Again, it's the pier management and staff that should be enforcing the rules, alcohol or not!

Last, GS and OBA are a tourist destination, people come to spend money and enjoy theirselves. Not saying they all drink but some do.

Me personally, I enjoy drinking a few beers while I fish. I couldn't do at the pier due to having to drive home, but there's been a few times when it's been those hot summer days that I wished I had a cold one.

+++++++1 P&G

The key to changing this decision, which sounds like a done deal in the article at the top of the post, is a clear discussion of enforcement and liability.

The management of the pier on a daily basis is aided immensely by the very real fact that the regulars take a great deal of ownership of "their" pier. How many posts are in this forum where one of these regulars steps in to chastise bad or unsafe behavior, and eliminates a problem of enforcement before it becomes an issue? Unattended children, thievery, sanitation, human conflicts over space at the rail, and so on? The city is lucky, right now, that the dynamics beyond the gate are managed by mostly sober individuals that care about their pier every day. Enforcement by pier staff is minimal right now because there IS an etiquette of behavior that is enforced by their patrons who use it. The city doesn't know this and takes behavior and ENFORCEMENT for granted because they have not had to spend money to do so.

The liability for the city, having inebriated citizens accessing the pier with the city's implied blessing, would rise immediately and immensely. Again, no one has had to report a drunk frat boy jumping from the pier, or a fight breaking out over someone's perceived slight at a rail for encroaching or blocking someone who is walking a fish. Adding the accepted use of alcohol by the city, again without direct enforcement by staff, would severely increase the city's LIABILITY. Again, right now, they rarely have to intervene so there is no money trail. No cost is seen in the books so there must not be any cost to the city. And no publicity from a negative incident means it's all good. That is how politicians think.

I know the first time my wife saw some drunk aggressively reeling in a sea bird they sky-hooked and were not trying to prevent damage to the bird, she would have her 5 foot frame all over the person with her 7 foot Ugly Stick.

The city needs to be challenged in public over the pitfalls of this decision. The regulars at the pier are an unknown quantity that has protected them from much of what they are about to open with this seemingly easy decision. They are about the $$$$$ just like someone said early in the posts. But the potential for $$$$$ going out from the city's coffers are much greater with this decision.

If the drinking could be limited to one or two beers, no problem, but there are quite a few people who can't or won't stop there. I'm not against drinking, but there are circumstances on the pier that make it undesirable there.

Gotcha plugs, sabikis and beer - what more could you ask for?

[quote author=Bubba link=topic=2213.msg20597#msg20597 date=1351683687]
Gotcha plugs, sabikis and beer - what more could you ask for?
[/quote]

Dial 911 ;-)

[quote author=Bubba link=topic=2213.msg20597#msg20597 date=1351683687]
Gotcha plugs, sabikis and beer - what more could you ask for?
[/quote]
throw in a gaff with dangling rope and serious injuries would occur ....although it seems to be working on other piers with NO real problems....for me that always stood Gulf Shores apart from the others....

I am an occasional visitor.... but on my limited time on the rock have seen several incidents that could have propelled out of control if it wasn't for the regulars putting a quick STOP to it....and very much appreciated by me....I will deal with it no matter what the outcome on there decision as to alcohol on the pier......I just know some can't handle liquid courage

Just something i was thinking so many people say they wont go whats the diff in going out to eat where they serve booze and fishing with booze really thats all people do when they come down i worked a condos at P10 beside the flora bama and thats what they do frim the time they wake up not saying all people do it but 90% of them did nothing funny then seeing 2 snowbirds getting crunk fishing lol i dont care to see it but just taking both sides

They say the beer thing is a done deal, so I removed my post. It was too long anyway.

So Party! :puke:

I won't stop fishing the pier. Just wish the State would solve problems instead of making more.

[font=comic sans ms][size=12pt]Here’s the city’s response on facebook regarding the location of the public hearing on Monday Nov. 5, 2012 at 5:00PM
City of Gulf Shores: “The public hearing will be held in the City Council chambers at City Hall.”
Read and add to the fb comments.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/cityofgulfshoresal/posts/499951833371632?notif_t=feed_comment

I don't know how this was kept a secret as i heard this in the spring..this has been in the making for a while..navarre attracts the same type of people as gulf shores and i have never seen a problem and they have a big bar. but i gues if it is not upwind/downwind,trolly,freefloating,toilet paper,no toilet paper there has to bitchin of some sort..i guess alot don't remember what it was like not having a pier at all..i betcha the the people on the east coast have not even thought about the piers being gone yet...

[quote author=stvtackett link=topic=2213.msg20604#msg20604 date=1351691510]
I don't know how this was kept a secret as i heard this in the spring..this has been in the making for a while..navarre attracts the same type of people as gulf shores and i have never seen a problem and they have a big bar. but i gues if it is not upwind/downwind,trolly,freefloating,toilet paper,no toilet paper there has to bitchin of some sort..i guess alot don't remember what it was like not having a pier at all..i betcha the the people on the east coast have not even thought about the piers being gone yet...
[/quote]

[quote author=cotton link=topic=2213.msg20563#msg20563 date=1351637629]
not to mention the "people of the night"... :o
[/quote]

X2 that was my first thought the problems at night will 10x as bad with alcohol

Sorry i messed up the whole quote thing.
It is not bi... if u do not want alcohol on the pier. If u want it that is your opinion. I do not. I remember what it was like without the pier. I went to Pensacola pier, and i can count on one hand how many times i have been to the Pensacola pier since gulf shores opened. And i live in Pensacola. I take my family to the gulf shores pier because of the family atmosphere, people, amount of fish, and yes no alcohol. It's a no brainer for me.

[quote author=3boys link=topic=2213.msg20609#msg20609 date=1351702136]
Sorry i messed up the whole quote thing.
It is not bi... if u do not want alcohol on the pier. If u want it that is your opinion. I do not. I remember what it was like without the pier. I went to Pensacola pier, and i can count on one hand how many times i have been to the Pensacola pier since gulf shores opened. And i live in Pensacola. I take my family to the gulf shores pier because of the family atmosphere, people, amount of fish, and yes no alcohol. It's a no brainer for me.
[/quote]

Sorry to disagree,, not really. it is bitchin. my references were all the subjects that have came up when the fish stop biting, and i am sure that i have missed a few..it is just an opinion but it is mine..you may be amazed at who is already out there drinking or geeked up on a regular basis..though pensacola and chokealoosa may not be a good example navaree is as they are the same type of fishers from the start to the end, with no problems... makes me no nevermind, i been drinking out there for years as i was just stating my opinion, i am sure the city will look hard at it as the benefit is exactly what?? they get no revenue or tax from the pier, unless there has been a change the only tax you pay is state tax..if that is still the case then they would be robbing from themeselves to allow it.. one of the coucil members is a former rat from days gone by so maybe there is an allie but as stated it makes me no nevermind as i can drink with fishers or fish with drinkers...

[size=12pt]Fox 10 News Crew is on the pier to interview folks about the beer sales!
If you can get out there, I am sure they would give you a couple mintues of fame so you can voice your opinion :headbang:[/size]

They quoted some of our comments on their website http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/loca...te-coming-soon

[quote author=stvtackett link=topic=2213.msg20604#msg20604 date=1351691510]
I don't know how this was kept a secret as i heard this in the spring..this has been in the making for a while..navarre attracts the same type of people as gulf shores and i have never seen a problem and they have a big bar. but i gues if it is not upwind/downwind,trolly,freefloating,toilet paper,no toilet paper there has to bitchin of some sort..i guess alot don't remember what it was like not having a pier at all..i betcha the the people on the east coast have not even thought about the piers being gone yet...
[/quote]

I agree about Navarre. I have been there when it was packed several times and fished all day. Alcohol has never been an issue - not even an afterthought. I do not think our piers attract the same types of people. People there seem more relaxed. Maybe it is due to the lack of people with Zebco's at the end throwing Gotchas and bubble rigs like we have to deal with. I dont know. I have never seen an altercation at Navarre, but I see them all the time at the State Pier.

I think we will see regulars trying to diffuse the situation like we do now, but because of alcohol it will escalate and a regular will end up going to jail or getting banned from the pier, just for trying to take care of things the same way we do now.

they said there putting in a grill :eat: :eat: now we are talking hope its good we need a grill there cuz pier house food sucks :poke1:

[quote author=salt_water_guy link=topic=2213.msg20624#msg20624 date=1351715731]
they said there putting in a grill :eat: :eat: now we are talking hope its good we need a grill there cuz pier house food sucks :poke1:
[/quote]

That's cool. I soooo hope they will deliver to the end like they do at Navarre.

[quote author=Bubba link=topic=2213.msg20625#msg20625 date=1351715912]
[quote author=salt_water_guy link=topic=2213.msg20624#msg20624 date=1351715731]
they said there putting in a grill :eat: :eat: now we are talking hope its good we need a grill there cuz pier house food sucks :poke1:
[/quote]

That's cool. I soooo hope they will deliver to the end like they do at Navarre.
[/quote]
DUDE thats what i'm hoping for lol

when does this get underway :eat:

[img width=209 height=252]http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g446/finchaser1/Forum%20Only/NON%20REPORT%20PHOTOS/gotreal.jpg[/img]

[img width=400 height=425]http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/400x/18010657.jpg[/img]

"BAR" & GRILL

The alcohol application would be for a grill that's to be built under the pavilion, which is at the base of the pier.

Park officials said alcohol would still not be permitted past the gate and out onto the pier itself. So folks couldn’t wheel out coolers full of beer.
======================

This clip from the new report is reassuring. Even now a certain amount of "pre-lubrication" takes place before fishing and a certain number of coolers are not totally filled with fish. Perhaps those who now can step into the shade to drink would take their trouble with them -- as long as they did not leave a rod behind leaning on the rail. :poke1:

[font=comic sans ms][size=12pt] Here is the news clip from the pier this afternoon. Nice flattie decked during the taping!
http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/loca...te-coming-soon

:yippee:

I saw the news video.
Well done piece IMHO.
Dan and Danny stated both sides of the issue well. :headbang:

We'll just have to see what the future brings ::)

Regardless of the outcome, the fish will still be there. It's not like most of us haven't had to deal with a surley drunk before - if it even comes to that. Don't need to borrow trouble before it comes around

Ole p pest usta be a bouncer... he can do it again! :mrt:

[quote author=FinChaser link=topic=2213.msg20642#msg20642 date=1351729222]
[font=comic sans ms][size=12pt] Here is the news clip from the pier this afternoon. Nice flattie decked during the taping!
http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/loca...te-coming-soon

[/quote]
did anyone else see the nice flounder in the video :-)

Yes 8)
Someone (Bubba?) wrote he was dragging some old nasty cigs on bottom catching bluefish on bottom when that big flounder ate one. :D
Perfect timing, and he did it without a net :headbang:

Hmmm... maybe he was drinking... ;) :D :poke1:

[quote author=cotton link=topic=2213.msg20675#msg20675 date=1351739084]
Ole p pest usta be a bouncer... he can do it again! :mrt:
[/quote]

There would have to be a quite nice paycheck for me to work as a bouncer for a pier where people are allowed to have weapons such as fillet knives and gaffs. Combine that with liquid courage and some attitudes and it's disaster waiting to happen.

[font=comic sans ms][size=12pt] WKRG Debbie Williams – on fb:
Gulf Shores City Council will vote next week on a proposal that would allow beer sales at Gulf State Pier. What do you think? Good idea, bad idea. I'll be doing a story on this today tell me what you think about it.

Beer on the pier, Yay or Nay?
http://www.facebook.com/WKRG.Debbie.Williams#!/WKRG.Debbie.Williams/posts/437589722955528

IMO drinking while fishing on the octi, is not a problem now, because its a long walk to the bath house. As long as they dont build a bath room at the end of the pier, it will not become one. And if its only sold, at the pier entrance, most will not make that trip many times a day. I enjoy beer as much as anyone, but I am in agreement with most on the forum, a bunch of drunks would ruin, the reason most love the pier.

I see no reason why this should be a problem because drinking will not be allowed past the gate.

Beer on the Pier II
starring Wilson Gregory ??? LOL
http://www2.wkrg.com/news/2012/nov/0...er-ar-4875133/

Quote:

---

By: Debbie Williams | WKRG
Published: November 01, 2012 Updated: November 01, 2012 - 4:50 PM
GULF SHORES, Alabama --
On Gulf State Pier you can enjoy nature while casting a line and hopefully catching a nice fish or two. But you maybe able to catch something else here soon. "We would be serving no hard alcohol just beer and wine and we'll probably gonna add the machines for frozen drinks." State park director Lisa Larroway has applied for a special license to serve alcohol at the parks pier.

The proposal has drawn mixed reactions. Wilson Gregory is a regular on the pier. "Every other pier on the gulf coast has alcohol allowed to go out and I fish every one from Panama City to here. Never had a problem with it."

"It's water and hooks and I don't think the two go together with alcohol," says Sharon McLaughlin fishing off the pier.

"We're not trying to cause any type of issues," says Larroway. "We really want to do what all the other establishments on the beach are offering."

If the sale of alcohol is approved at the state pier it would be confined to an area under the pavilion near the dock store. You wouldn't be able to take it out onto the pier. But for most people we talked to that doesn't matter.

"Are they going to keep the people under the pavilion after they drink or are they going to let em come fish," asks McLaughlin. "If they are going to let them fish I don't think that's a good idea."

Bob McGrady says he didn't like the idea of alcohol sales at the pier but it wouldn't keep him away. "Probably not. I'd probably come anyway but I like it like it is."

Larroway wants to model the pier after other establishments in the area that cater to family's and still offer alcohol. "Tourism is growing in Gulf Shores and we would like for it to expand from downtown Gulf Shores over to us."

The Gulf Shores city council is set to vote on the license next Monday and there is a public hearing on the issue before the vote. The meeting set for 5 o'clock in Gulf Shores at city hall

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[font=comic sans ms][size=12pt]Gonna have to Wilson’s autograph, he was on the television! :poke1:

"Tourism is growing in Gulf Shores and we would like for it to expand from downtown Gulf Shores over to us"

That quote right there tells you everything you need to know. Show me the money and damn the torpedos.

[quote author=FinChaser link=topic=2213.msg20721#msg20721 date=1351813244]
[font=comic sans ms][size=12pt]Gonna have to Wilson’s autograph, he was on the television! :poke1:

[/quote]
HAHA thats 2 months in a row and not in trubble lol

[quote author=divedeep link=topic=2213.msg20722#msg20722 date=1351813674]
"Tourism is growing in Gulf Shores and we would like for it to expand from downtown Gulf Shores over to us"

That quote right there tells you everything you need to know. Show me the money and damn the torpedos.
[/quote]

+++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 :evil: