Bellflower : Council Waves Prohibition Against Beer at Cook-Off

The Bellflower City Council has waived a prohibition against drinking alcohol in public so the Chamber of Commerce can sell beer during a fund-raising chili cook-off Friday in the Bellflower Boulevard business district.

The action was supported by chamber members but was condemned by church representatives and others who said it sets a bad example for young people in a nation beset by alcohol and drug abuse.

The event will last from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on a closed section of Bellflower Boulevard between Flower and Oak streets. Sale and consumption of beer will be limited to one area. The chamber will be required to carry liability insurance and pay for security.

Chamber President Jerry Cleveland said beer sales will be carefully regulated, identifications checked and any unruly behavior will be quickly stopped. He and other chamber officers and business people said the event is designed to bring people and business to the city.

But critics said waiving the law sets a bad precedent and sends children the wrong message about right and wrong.

“Many young people are not given moral guidance by their families,” said Tim Dickinson, pastor of Bellflower Baptist Church. “We have to take a stand and recognize that this is a beverage that is abused terribly.”