ASHLAND — Ashland City Council unanimously approved the creation of a designated outdoor refreshment area on Tuesday, making it the 124th DORA in Ohio.
The DORA in Ashland will allow anyone over the age of 21 to purchase alcoholic drinks in a designated cup from permitted establishments. The patron would then be allowed to carry the beverages within a defined downtown area.
In other words, people can take beer or wine from one establishment to another and outside on the sidewalks on specific occasions.
Council’s approved resolution now heads to the Ohio Liquor Control Commission, where the entity will make sure Ashland has followed all the guidelines and statutes, a process that could take up to three weeks.
In Ashland, the DORA will only be in affect during approved events — such as St. Patrick’s Day or Music on Main. Event organizers will have to apply for a DORA approval and possibly pay a fee, according to the city’s application.
Since Ashland Mayor Matt Miller presented the idea to council in April, several residents have shared concern.
Jack Colvin, an Ashland resident, introduced himself to council as a former Ashland police officer “from the old school.” He spoke against the idea of a DORA during a May 2 council meeting.
A resident since 1967, Colvin said the community has heard for years that downtown Ashland wouldn’t get decent restaurants unless they also served alcohol.
“Well, we got decent restaurants. They got alcohol. And now we’re asking for more. I don’t know, exactly, what the reason is,” he said. “I don’t feel we need people out on the street openly consuming alcohol. Like I said, I’m from the old school.”
Diane Nelson, another resident of Ashland, spoke before council on two occasions against the idea, saying a DORA is “a step in the wrong direction” for Ashland, a community she described as “Christian.”
On Tuesday, Nelson said she hoped council would have tabled the decision to let more people learn about the program. She also questioned the move entirely.
“Why do we need it? … Are you thinking clearly?” she asked, addressing members of council and the mayor.
John Bouquet, a pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, shared concerns. He started by quoting passages written by King Solomon, a monarch of ancient Israel who wrote many Proverbs in the Bible.
“It says in Proverbs 14:34, ‘righteousness exults a nation.’ Or a city. ‘But a sin is a reproach to any people.’ Proverbs 28:10 — ‘whoever leads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit. But the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.’”
He continued, addressing council. “Heed the wisdom of Solomon. This direction is not the righteous direction. Even though much thought has gone into it.”
Ashland Mayor Matt Miller said the decision to implement a DORA was not driven by profit.
“It’s just an added privilege to those who enjoy an adult beverage. That’s what it amounts to,” he said. “And if I thought, in any way, that it would jeopardize the culture of this community, then I would strongly encourage you not to do it.”
Councilman Steve Workman agreed with Miller, re-emphasizing the city’s DORA is an event-based program and that council does not plan to expand the hours.
“We have no intention, at this time anyway, to perpetuate this into an ongoing, you know, every-week-open DORA,” he said.
Jacob Nestle, of Ashland, spoke in support of the DORA on Tuesday. He acknowledged Ashland is a Christian community, and that he himself is a Christian.
“But … we’re also an American community. I believe our country was founded on the principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” he said.
On approved events, the DORA’s hours of operation would be 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The application outlines the DORA’s boundary. According to a map, the DORA would include Main Street from Corner Park to the east all the way down to Joan’s Tavern to the west.
It would include businesses on the north and south side of Main Street, as well as the city’s parking lot along East Second Street and businesses along South Street. The new “Ashland” theater would also be included within the boundary.
In all, the DORA would envelop 22 acres of downtown space and DORA decals would be placed at boundaries to distinguish a barrier.
