Monrovia

When organizers of a statewide firemen’s muster, scheduled for three days in June, 1986, in Library Park in Monrovia, asked for permission to sell alcoholic beverages during the event, City Council members decided to make a one-time exception in the law prohibiting possession or consumption of alcohol in public parks. The council passed a broad ordinance that was intended only for the muster, City Manager Jim Starbird said, but that effort backfired. Two weeks later, after an outcry from local clergymen, the council rescinded the ordinance. At its June 4 meeting, the council will attempt to pass a new ordinance that is more specific and will expire after the muster. Starbird said the clergymen were upset about the first ordinance because they felt it could have opened the way for alcohol in all parks.