Bill Lyzenga of North Street Christian Reformed Church speaks out against a proposal to allow alcohol to be sold on Sundays in Zeeland during a public hearing Monday night.
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
A final decision on whether the city of Zeeland will allow alcohol to be sold on Sundays is expected early next month.
The City Council Monday night held a public hearing on whether the city’s alcohol ordinance should be changed to permit the sale of alcohol between 12 noon Sunday and 2 a.m. Monday, or during a special event within that time period that has been approved by the council. No decisions were made, with a vote of the council expected at its Nov. 3 meeting.
The hearing also addressed whether alcohol may be possessed and consumed in a city park, such as Vande Luyster Square and Elm Street Park, if the alcohol is purchased from a social district license holder and if all social district guidelines are allowed. Both parks are part of the social district.
Between verbal and written comments, a total of four comments were received by the council – three against lifting the current ban on Sunday alcohol sales and one in favor.
One opponent, Bill Lyzenga of North Street Christian Reformed Church, spoke about the longstanding respect people in Zeeland have had for Sunday as a day of rest and worship.
“So you want to allow the sale of alcohol on Sunday – but for what reason?” Lyzenga asked. “Are we so blind with the financial gain, that we are willing to corrupt the moral fiber of our fine city? We can’t help but wonder what past mayors – Dick Timmer, Ray Schaap, Les Hoogland – would think about this proposal.
“As a church located downtown … and within the social district, will we be confronted with the folks who have drinks in hand while we enter and exit worship services? I certainly hope not,” Lyzenga added.
Terry and Linda Boerman sent a letter to the city expressing similar sentiments.
“In 2006, the door to alcohol sales was opened (when voters approved a ballot proposal legalizing such sales),” the Boermans wrote. “We do not want to open it any further. The city of Zeeland was established by our forefathers to honor Sunday as the Lord’s day, and many still observe Sunday as the day of rest and opportunity for worship. The city parks and splash pad are family-safe areas and should remain that way.”
The issue of Sunday alcohol sales has been discussed by the council for months. Earlier this year, city officials reached out to current holders of on-premises liquor licenses to see if there was any interest in legalizing Sunday sales. The Gritzmaker restaurant spoke out in favor of the change.
“They felt that would be a good economic driver for their business, to be able to host groups of people during football games and other special events,” City Marketing Director Abby deRoo said.
Other license holders, while not actively interested in opening on Sundays, supported Gritzmaker’s interest in Sunday sales. Those license holders see it as a way to offer private parties on Sundays, but are not looking at regular Sunday hours, deRoo said.
Sheri Holstege, a former City Council member and current planning commissioner, spoke in favor of allowing Sunday sales, as well as allowing alcohol to be consumed in parks within the social district when there’s a special event.
“I’m not opposed to a family going out to brunch on Sunday after church. My family does that quite often,” Holstege said.
The current proposal before council would limit Sunday alcohol sales to on-premise license holders. Sundays would not be included in the social district hours of operation, deRoo said.
Zeeland voters approved legalizing alcohol sales by a 40-vote margin in November 2006, 1,425-1,385.
Zeeland Record
A final decision on whether the city of Zeeland will allow alcohol to be sold on Sundays is expected early next month.
The City Council Monday night held a public hearing on whether the city’s alcohol ordinance should be changed to permit the sale of alcohol between 12 noon Sunday and 2 a.m. Monday, or during a special event within that time period that has been approved by the council. No decisions were made, with a vote of the council expected at its Nov. 3 meeting.
The hearing also addressed whether alcohol may be possessed and consumed in a city park, such as Vande Luyster Square and Elm Street Park, if the alcohol is purchased from a social district license holder and if all social district guidelines are allowed. Both parks are part of the social district.
Between verbal and written comments, a total of four comments were received by the council – three against lifting the current ban on Sunday alcohol sales and one in favor.
One opponent, Bill Lyzenga of North Street Christian Reformed Church, spoke about the longstanding respect people in Zeeland have had for Sunday as a day of rest and worship.
“So you want to allow the sale of alcohol on Sunday – but for what reason?” Lyzenga asked. “Are we so blind with the financial gain, that we are willing to corrupt the moral fiber of our fine city? We can’t help but wonder what past mayors – Dick Timmer, Ray Schaap, Les Hoogland – would think about this proposal.
“As a church located downtown … and within the social district, will we be confronted with the folks who have drinks in hand while we enter and exit worship services? I certainly hope not,” Lyzenga added.
Terry and Linda Boerman sent a letter to the city expressing similar sentiments.
“In 2006, the door to alcohol sales was opened (when voters approved a ballot proposal legalizing such sales),” the Boermans wrote. “We do not want to open it any further. The city of Zeeland was established by our forefathers to honor Sunday as the Lord’s day, and many still observe Sunday as the day of rest and opportunity for worship. The city parks and splash pad are family-safe areas and should remain that way.”
The issue of Sunday alcohol sales has been discussed by the council for months. Earlier this year, city officials reached out to current holders of on-premises liquor licenses to see if there was any interest in legalizing Sunday sales. The Gritzmaker restaurant spoke out in favor of the change.
“They felt that would be a good economic driver for their business, to be able to host groups of people during football games and other special events,” City Marketing Director Abby deRoo said.
Other license holders, while not actively interested in opening on Sundays, supported Gritzmaker’s interest in Sunday sales. Those license holders see it as a way to offer private parties on Sundays, but are not looking at regular Sunday hours, deRoo said.
Sheri Holstege, a former City Council member and current planning commissioner, spoke in favor of allowing Sunday sales, as well as allowing alcohol to be consumed in parks within the social district when there’s a special event.
“I’m not opposed to a family going out to brunch on Sunday after church. My family does that quite often,” Holstege said.
The current proposal before council would limit Sunday alcohol sales to on-premise license holders. Sundays would not be included in the social district hours of operation, deRoo said.
Zeeland voters approved legalizing alcohol sales by a 40-vote margin in November 2006, 1,425-1,385.
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