Local Pastor Opposed To City's Super Bowl Drinking Rules
POSTED: Monday, May 24,
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- As city officials continue planning for the Super Bowl, a local religious leader is calling for changes to the city's drinking rules during game week.
Dr. Jerry Vines (pictured, left), pastor of downtown's First Baptist Church, said he's opposed to the street parties that are typical of Super Bowl week.Much of the "entertainment zone" planned for the Super Bowl is just a block away from the church's sprawling, 11-block property."The city has tried to address all of the concerns of Dr. Vines," explained Heather Murphy, Mayor John Peyton's press secretary. "We are discouraging the sale of alcohol to the public at Hemming Plaza."But Vines said that's not enough."It's an insult," said Vines. "How do you discourage 10,000 people drunk on rot-gut alcohol?"Murphy said the entertainment zone, which starts at Duval Street and goes down the Riverwalk, doesn't begin until Super Bowl Thursday and won't interfere with the biggest days at First Baptist -- Wednesday and Sunday.However, Vines wants the zone not to include Hemming Plaza."This is not about Wednesday and Sunday. We have children here every day of the week and we think it's dangerous to have open containers and drinking," said Vines.But others say the activities are an important part of the whole event."Jacksonville is on the world stage. We must provide entertainment," said resident Patricia Carter.First Baptist, with a membership of more than 25,000, is the city's largest church.
Copyright 2004 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Dr. Jerry Vines (pictured, left), pastor of downtown's First Baptist Church, said he's opposed to the street parties that are typical of Super Bowl week.Much of the "entertainment zone" planned for the Super Bowl is just a block away from the church's sprawling, 11-block property."The city has tried to address all of the concerns of Dr. Vines," explained Heather Murphy, Mayor John Peyton's press secretary. "We are discouraging the sale of alcohol to the public at Hemming Plaza."But Vines said that's not enough."It's an insult," said Vines. "How do you discourage 10,000 people drunk on rot-gut alcohol?"Murphy said the entertainment zone, which starts at Duval Street and goes down the Riverwalk, doesn't begin until Super Bowl Thursday and won't interfere with the biggest days at First Baptist -- Wednesday and Sunday.However, Vines wants the zone not to include Hemming Plaza."This is not about Wednesday and Sunday. We have children here every day of the week and we think it's dangerous to have open containers and drinking," said Vines.But others say the activities are an important part of the whole event."Jacksonville is on the world stage. We must provide entertainment," said resident Patricia Carter.First Baptist, with a membership of more than 25,000, is the city's largest church.Copyright 2004 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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