I'm not much of a drinker, but I can see how this would make community meetings easier sometimes

(Certainly I can think of a number of community meetings where we had drinks afterwards... one of the best Pilsner Urquell's I ever had was in the summer of 2004 after some meeting, and I fondly remember some margaritas somewhere with Nancy, Keith, Bobbi, and others from ANC6C back in 2003 or 2004 when we had those joint 6A-6C meetings on developing a framework for H Street's neighborhood commercial zoning overlay.)

From the Dallas Morning News: "Neighborhood task force goes dry: Dallas: Panel appointed by Landmark Commission will end alcohol consumption during meetings," discussing a neighborhood preservation oversight body:

Public historic preservation hearings and a rich glass of pinot noir. An odd pairing, perhaps. But for a panel appointed by Dallas City Hall's Landmark Commission, drinking wine or beer during its proceedings, in which members recommend approving or denying residents' applications to alter historic homes, is routine.

City Manager Mary Suhm says she's aware of the Peak's Suburban/LaVista Court Task Force's practice. There's no explicit Dallas ordinance or administrative rule that prohibits task force members from drinking alcohol during meetings, Ms. Suhm noted. "But one might think doing their work while having wine isn't a good idea. My guess is that it's not going to be a problem in the future. They'll stop," she said.

Sometimes there are sodas or water available at ANC6A meetings...

Index Keywords: civic-engagement