Bill to Increase Booze At Benefits Gets Push

More booze could be coming to benefits in Clearwater.

Currently, charity groups can only get three permits a year to sell alcoholic beverages at fundraising events. However, the Pinellas Legislative Delegation is supporting a bill that would increase that number to 15, as long as the function follows specific guidelines.

“It lays out that it does not impact what is already in statutes, it merely adds to,” said the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Ed Hooper. “The reason the city is bringing this forward is the downtown core of Clearwater has a huge number of events now.”

The city's Blast Friday event closes down part of Cleveland Street the last Friday each month. It features live entertainment and food and alcohal vendors.

The bill is supported by city officials and the Clearwater Chamber of Commerce.

“The chamber has partnered with the Blast Friday group, and they currently hold 11 events already a year,” said Kathleen Peters, a spokeswoman for the chamber. “So, we support this bill and we thank you for supporting this bill.”

And while the bill is drawing support from business groups and the City Council not everyone thinks it's a good idea.

Brian Pitts was the only speaker to raise concerns over the bill.

“Don’t you want to ask the people if they really need to have a good time, do they always need to have something to drink in these places,” Pitts said. “You don’t take allowing drinking lightly anywhere concerning alcoholic beverages.”