For nearly 30 years, MACS Nite has helped raise money for Loyola Catholic Schools, but this year Mankato�s City Council president opposes granting the event a temporary alcohol permit because he says it sends the wrong message.
�There are many people who think it�s a college problem, college problem, college problem,� Mike Laven said of alcohol abuse.
But he said high-risk drinking is a community problem, and he opposes the sale of alcohol at MACS Nite because it benefits schoolchildren. The Mankato City Council will vote on approving the permit at its meeting tonight.
To be clear: Minors are not allowed to the May 2 event, and coordinators hire two off-duty police officers to enforce that rule. The city has not had problems with minors drinking at the fundraiser.
According to a letter from Jesse Hicks, the school�s director of advancement, organizers even turn parents with infants away. (They also give the young families McDonald�s gift certificates to soften the blow.)
But Laven said the alcohol sale �sends a mixed message to kids.�
Loyola Catholic Schools are on spring break, and administrators didn�t return messages seeking comment.
The topic was initially broached somewhat clumsily during the last City Council meeting, when Laven announced his opposition to a similar permit that he thought was for MACS Nite, but was really for the School Sisters of Notre Dame. After explaining his opposition, he was informed that the permit was a social occasion for the nuns.
Laven quickly relented and the permit was approved, but said afterward that he still plans to vote against the MACS request, which would allow drinks with up to 3.2 percent alcohol sold. This type of permit is common, and almost always approved without council comment.
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21 comments: MACS alcohol
Council president says alcohol sends wrong message
By Dan Linehan
For nearly 30 years, MACS Nite has helped raise money for Loyola Catholic Schools, but this year Mankato�s City Council president opposes granting the event a temporary alcohol permit because he says it sends the wrong message.
�There are many people who think it�s a college problem, college problem, college problem,� Mike Laven said of alcohol abuse.
But he said high-risk drinking is a community problem, and he opposes the sale of alcohol at MACS Nite because it benefits schoolchildren. The Mankato City Council will vote on approving the permit at its meeting tonight.
To be clear: Minors are not allowed to the May 2 event, and coordinators hire two off-duty police officers to enforce that rule. The city has not had problems with minors drinking at the fundraiser.
According to a letter from Jesse Hicks, the school�s director of advancement, organizers even turn parents with infants away. (They also give the young families McDonald�s gift certificates to soften the blow.)
But Laven said the alcohol sale �sends a mixed message to kids.�
Loyola Catholic Schools are on spring break, and administrators didn�t return messages seeking comment.
The topic was initially broached somewhat clumsily during the last City Council meeting, when Laven announced his opposition to a similar permit that he thought was for MACS Nite, but was really for the School Sisters of Notre Dame. After explaining his opposition, he was informed that the permit was a social occasion for the nuns.
Laven quickly relented and the permit was approved, but said afterward that he still plans to vote against the MACS request, which would allow drinks with up to 3.2 percent alcohol sold. This type of permit is common, and almost always approved without council comment.
This year�s entertainment includes an Elvis impersonator and Boogie Wonderland. It�s open to the public, not just Loyola families.
December 23, 2009
December 21, 2009 1 Photo
December 18, 2009
December 18, 2009 1 Photo
December 16, 2009
December 16, 2009 1 Photo
October 1, 2009 1 Photo
September 29, 2009 1 Photo
September 24, 2009
The Minnesota Republican Party will be running a TV ad beginning today and lasting for a week on KEYC mocking Democratic attempts to reform the nation’s health care system.
August 11, 2009
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