Mission Viejo to Bar Alcohol at Center : Issue Pits Senior Citizens Against Parents of Schoolchildren

“I will never have on my conscience the death of a child or anyone else due to drinking and driving,” said Mayor William S. Craycraft before casting his vote to keep alcohol out of the Oso Viejo Community and Senior Center and all other city-owned facilities. “It’s important we be consistent in our policy across the board.”

But Councilman Norman P. Murray, who cast the dissenting vote, said, “I’m personally convinced that grandma and grandpa are not the problem in this community.”

The issue of allowing consumption of alcoholic drinks at the Community and Senior Center has pitted angry parents whose children go to school near the center against seniors who want alcoholic drinks available at their club activities.

“Alcohol has its place and our city parks are not that place,” said John Landgard, a father of four students who attend nearby Fred Newhart Elementary School, told council members.

Parent Eileen Fallman added: “We think the city and senior citizens need to set an example for our young people by saying, ‘Yes, we can have social activities without alcohol.’ ”

Approval Sought

Seniors had sought council approval to allow alcohol to be served at the center by nonprofit groups able to provide proof of insurance and a refundable deposit of $250. The new policy, however, would not have allowed the sale of alcohol. And consumption of such beverages would be restricted to the senior wing of the community center, said city Parks and Recreation Director Wayne Lowery.

For Holly Kunkle, a mother of two and a spokeswoman for the parents’ group, the issue is not one of age but of alcohol consumption near a park and the Newhart School.

“We feel that the site is unworkable for the recommendation,” she explained. “(The center) is surrounded by playgrounds and playing fields. My family uses the park and my children attend the school.”

Ed Kearns, a senior who frequents the community center, said he believes opponents of the proposal are discriminating against seniors.

“I think (opponents) are more concerned that seniors (who would drive after consuming alcohol) would be jeopardizing their kids than they are with alcohol in a park,” explained Kearns, who also is commander of the Region 58 chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. “That is a fallacy on their part.”

“(The seniors) are upper-middle-class people with children and grandchildren and they know the responsibilities of driving,” he said. “They’re not going to drink a gallon of wine and go out driving.”