Hurricane - Putnam County residents spoke out against the county allowing alcohol in parks on Thursday night.
With the proposed new rules, alcohol would be permitted only at the Valley Park Commons and Community Center in Hurricane with prior approval.
Executive Director Scott Williamson would have the authority to approve alcohol served for weddings, and all other events would have to be approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission's planning committee and the board.
"Why pursue it? It seems like alcohol is number one priority," said a man who refused to give his name. "Once it gets started and people abuse it - cause everything is abused - what are you going to do about that? Does anyone have a conscience? You have the welfare of the public."
Other members of the audience questioned whether the county would be liable if a drunk driver were to leave the park and kill someone, but the Parks commission reassured the audience that the renter would have to purchase insurance before the event.
The audience members also questioned what the park would do to prevent drunk drivers or event attendees from drinking too much.
Williamson said the commission would be able to require the renter to hire an off-duty cop at the director's discretion. Parks Commission President Joesph Tyree said there's no good way to stop people from drinking too much.
"I was a cop for 24 years, you can't stop people," Tyree said.
The man again questioned the reasoning behind allowing alcohol to be served in the park, and commission members had multiple reasons.
Williamson said by allowing the two facilities to serve alcohol, it would increase revenue for the Parks and Recreation Commission. Tyree added that it would allow the parks to be more inclusive. Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Dusty Hurley said it would open up opportunities to bring more tourists to the area. For instance, a local winery would be able to serve wine if there was an a business expo.
"It's not just revenue, it would bring people to the area in that sense," Hurley said.
The commission approved the changes to be added to the draft, which will be released to the public for comment on Wednesday. The Parks and Recreation Commission will meet again at 7 p.m on Aug. 4 to accept comments from the public.
Reach Laura Haight at laura.haight@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-4843 or follow @laurahaight_ on Twitter.