Jan 3, 2008 6:59 pm US/Central
Six Flags Beer Sales Discussed At Town Hall Mtg.
ARLINGTON (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
On December 17, signs at Six Flags Over Texas and Hurricane Harbor announced the parks had applied for a
license to sell beer, wine and liquor.
The proposal prompted hundreds of people to call state regulators and complain.
"Children will be piling into cars with mom and dad, who have been drinking at Six Flags," said concerned citizen Polly Higgins.
But state regulators say it won't do any good to simply voice one's opinion.
Thursday night, officials told opponents at a town hall meeting that they must submit specific legal reasons in writing.
The New York based company says it would only sell beer in specific areas of the parks and under strict guidelines. Supporters say alcohol sales could help the parks bring in more money.
Opponents fear drinking guests could hurt themselves on rides and that serving alcohol doesn't set a good example for kids - something they believe would offend Six Flags' founder Angus Wynne who opened the first Six Flags park in Arlington in 1961.
"I think it's family tradition, and I think that's the problem with their financial situation. They've gotten away from their roots that Angus Wynn started with years ago," said Steve Pyburn, who opposes beer sales. "I think he'd be rolling over in his grave if he knew what was going on right now."
Others have no problem with some form of alcohol sales at the park. "I
don't think a beer is gonna hurt anybody," said beer sales supporter
Jody Dead. "I don't know if they should have hard liquor, but I don't
think a beer would hurt anything."
Parents at the town hall meeting said they are running out of places to take their kids where there is no alcohol. They also voiced concern about alcohol getting into the wrong hands, or that people will be over served at the parks.
"I think it increases the chance of something very bad happening, whether it be on one of the attractions or where kids
are hanging out and fights break out," said Todd Duckett, a season pass
holder.
But Six Flags Senior Vice President John Bement said the company already sells beer at most of its other theme parks across the country and has never had a violation.
"It's no different than Walt Disney World does in Florida or Universal Studios or Sea World does in San Antonio," said Bement. "It's kind of become a mainstay in the theme park industry."
He add that it was parents at the other parks who requested that beer be sold.
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission will rule on the liquor license application sometime after the 60-day protest period, which began December 17, ends. Six Flags is hoping to start selling beer by the start of the summer.
"I think boycotting Six Flags is a better idea," said Linda Jacquess, another concerned citizen.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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