Commission withdraws booze ban

TREASURE ISLAND - The Treasure Island City Commission withdrew a proposal to ban alcohol from Sunset Beach Thursday night.

The move came after more than three hours of discussion and comments in a packed meeting.

The proposal would have called for a temporary, 60-day ban. It came about in response to large spring break crowds, in some cases causing trouble for residents.

"I pulled into my driveway at 5:20 this evening and there were two young boys in bushes urinating," said Mary Beth Becker, a resident who spoke at the meeting.

Most residents who spoke at the meeting agree there is a problem. But they disagreed over how to solve it and the nature of the problem.

"The bars were there before the people bought. Why would you buy a home next to a bar," said resident Harry Black, in opposition to the ban.

"We have laws against drunkeness. We have laws against underage drinking. We have laws against public urination. Let's enforce those," another speaker said.