Mercer’s Student Government Association unanimously passed a resolution in opposition to an ordinance intended to forbid people under 21 from entering Macon-Bibb County bars.
“The ordinance is uncalled for because it infringes upon our rights and will negatively affect the downtown business,” SGA Vice President Victoria Conley wrote in a statement. “It also hurts students by profiling all underage bar attendees as obnoxious drunks.”
“In reality, those who do cause an issue are far fewer than those who go into bars to simply hang with friends. SGA has written a resolution because students don’t like this ordinance and have asked SGA to lobby on their behalf.”
The ordinance could also hinder the growth of Macon’s live entertainment industry, said Junior Senator David Wildes.
County Commissioner Scotty Shepard said the ordinance is not only intended to keep 18- to 20-year-olds out of bars but also to prevent loitering in front of them.
SGA plans to send its resolution statement to Mercer’s administration and then present the resolution to County Commission today at a public hearing for the ordinance.
The hearing will be located in the commission chamber of the Macon-Bibb County Government Center, 700 Poplar St. on Oct. 14 at 2:15 p.m.
The first hearing for the case was held on Oct. 7, where about two dozen people showed up and six spoke. Two people favored the ordinance and two people opposed it.
SGA opposes youth bar ban
