After many months of hard work by parties on all sides the Lodi City Council Passed the Alcohol Demerit ordinance in an unanimous vote on Tuesday night.  The process that was undertaken to get to this point was an example for all on how the democratic process should be undertaken.  It started with Paul Fisk presenting an ordinance adopted by other municipalities as a recommendation for adoption by the Lodi City Council.  The council decided to conduct a public hearing before making any decisions.   At the open hearing there were local citizens and business owners who all provided very good input.   Through this hearing several issues with the ordinance as presenter were found and the council sent the ordinance to committee.  Again, the committee meetings were conducted in a very open and fair manor.   The end result of many committee meetings is an ordinance that we believe is fair for all.

Lodi can truly say that we want the best for our kids and we are willing to make some hard decisions to get there.   Thanks especially to Paul Fisk, Paula Enger and all those that wrote letters to the paper and add ended various meetings to make this happen.   I would also like to thank the owners of Dolphin’s and Lloyd’s for the time and attention that they gave to this ordinance.   I believe that their input made this better.

US News and World Report describes a new study that indicates that movies featuring alcohol product placement may increase teen binge drinking.

Booze in Movies May Fuel Teenage Drinking – US News and World Report.

At the October LCAT meeting the team reviewed the proposed By-Laws and made some minor corrections.  The by-laws were approved with the corrections made.

Here is a link to the new by-laws – LCAT By-Laws

In attendance: Steven Ricks, Lisa Lee, Mike Lee, Jennifer Gorman, Paula Enger

Discussion was held as to what needs to be done to satisfy DFC grant requirements as well as what needs to be done to maintain the LCAT vision that gathered all of the people at the table in the first place.

Need an Adult Liaison to establish and work with a youth group in Lodi. The liaison will receive a $2200 stipend for this commitment. Liaison needs to be determined by next meeting.

By-Laws approved: Motion was made by Mike Lee and seconded by Lisa Lee to approve the By-Laws with the changes made during the discussion.  The Motion carried. Steven Ricks will make the changes to the By-Laws and send out an electronic copy to the group.  Hard copies will be distributed at the next meeting.

The LCAT Logo was decided on. Steven will send Paula an electronic copy. Paula/Jennifer will create letterhead and orientation packets using letterhead.

Discussion was held as to how to create a sense of urgency or “buzz” around the LCAT. We need to get out “the story”, create excitement and create a media campaign for LCAT.

Contacts would include:  Mike Powers from 102.5/Doug Steel from 106.9 and Zac Schultz from the local news network.

Conversation started on a “BEST” campaign where we possibly put up ads, flyers, posters, etc. asking the questions:

WHAT IS BEST?

WHAT IS THE BEST?

DO YOU WANT THE BEST?

Very important discussion and plan was made for the upcoming Public Hearing at City Hall on November 1^st at 7:00 PM.  There will be two Ordinances that LCAT is sponsoring: Social Host ordinance and an Alcohol License Demerit ordinance.  It is critical that members in support of the mission of LCAT attend and show support for these two ordinances.

Steven will contact all those who signed on to be a sector representative for LCAT including the new youth pastor who took Blake Severson’s place.  He will encourage them to attend as well as remind them of their commitment to LCAT.  Contact Jennifer at the paper.

Paula will contact the Sheriff’s office, CCC staff, Julia Sherman (already done and she is not able to be there) and other key leaders to try to get their support in being there.

The ordinance is available for inspection by going to the Lodi Clerk.

Meeting adjourned at 7:00 PM

Paula Enger

Project Coordinator

Lodi Community Action Team

On Tuesday November 1st the Lodi City Council held an open hearing on two Odinances under consideration. A Social Hosting Ordinance that addresses hosting Alcohol related events at your place or residence and a Demerit system to help regulate Alcohol License infractions.

There was a lively discussion on both sides and some good points were made about the current wording of the ordinances. Both Ordinances were referred to the HR Committee, chaired by Karla Schultz. All alcohol license holders have been invited to participate in the rewording, so if you would like your voice heard, please contact Karla Schultz through the Lodi City Hall.

You can find the current wording for both ordinances here - Lodi social Host and Demerit ordinances.

If you ever believed that casual drinking did not have long term affects, think again.  Here is an interview with the producer of Smashed a documentary on the affects of Alcohol on the developing brain.

On Tuesday June 21st Paul Fisk will be presenting the proposed Social Hosting ordinance to the City Council.  This is a very important issue in the fight against Teen Access to Alcohol and we need your  support.   Please plan on attending this important meeting to show your support for this ordinance and the children of Lodi.  You can find the proposed ordinance here.

Columbia County Connects will be sending a representative to discuss social hosting issues and the Lodi Police Department will also be there in support of this ordinance.   However, we need to show the city council that the citizens of Lodi are behind this as well.  If you have any questions feel free to contact me at sricks@mac.com or at 608-566-5614.

Please Plan to Attend

Tuesday June 21st at 7:00 PM at the Lodi City Hall

This Thursday is our monthly LCAT meeting and high on our agenda will be a discussion about a new Social Hosting Ordenance that the City will be taking up.   I have included here, a draft of an ordinance already in use in other cities in the state.  Please take some time to read it and then bring your feedback to the meeting this Thursday.

In addition we will be discussion our Parents Who Host program and what are plans for the future are.   As always, I hope to see you this Thursday at 5:00PM at the Sports and Recreation Center

Lodi Community Action Team Members:

Attached please find files needed to nominate someone for a Columbia County Asset Builders award. Eligible candidates are people, adults or youth, who live or work in Columbia County and have not received an award in the past.

Forms are due back to my office no later than 15th.

Please read the attached Nominee Letter for more information.  If you can think of anyone you would like to nominate, check their name against the Past Asset Builder Recipients.  If their name does not appear on the list, then fill out the Nomination form and send it in by the 15th.  The Asset Builders Celebration will take place on May 12th at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Portage WI. Please contact me with comments and questions.  My apologies if you receive this e-mail more than once.

Asset Nomination Form

Past Asset Builder Recipients

Nominee Letter

Thanks!

Tim

Tim Belleau

Coalition Coordinator

CESA5/Columbia County Connects

Cell 608 697 6206

Work Phone 608 742 8814 ext 225

email belleaut@cesa5.k12.wi.us

Fax (608) 742-2384