Trashman
01-10-2009, 11:13 AM
Six Flags patrons may soon be able to have a beer before Batman takes them flying on a roller-coaster ride.
On Friday, a state administrative judge recommended that mixed-beverage licenses for Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor should be approved.
"No unusual conditions or situations exist that would warrant refusal of the permits," wrote State Administrative Law Judge Tanya Cooper in the ruling.
Six Flags, which serves beer and margaritas at its park in San Antonio, said it was pleased with the decision.
"This is a service many of our guests have requested and one that we’ll be able to offer this season," said Six Flags spokeswoman Sharon Parker. The parks’ management has said that it plans to sell only beer at the two Arlington parks.
SeaWorld in San Antonio and Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels have sold alcohol at their theme parks for several years, as do Disney’s theme parks in Florida.
The two parks filed their intent to apply for the mixed-beverage licenses in December 2007. Hundreds of local residents wrote and called the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission’s offices to protest the application, including Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck.
"I’m disappointed, but I hope that Six Flags will be very careful in how they serve," Cluck said. He added he would feel more comfortable if the parks had proposed a way to keep track of the number of drinks a guest had and imposed a maximum limit.
Cluck said he would be meeting with the city’s attorneys on Monday to discuss any legal options. He did not expect that the city would file an appeal.
What’s ahead
The judge’s ruling is not final, and a process of appeals must be played out first before the ruling can be sent to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission’s administrator to be signed. With Six Flags Over Texas opening on Feb. 28 this year, it is not likely that the park’s permits will be finalized in time for opening day.
Community reaction
Carl Fors, a Fort Worth resident who had also opposed the permit, said he was not surprised by the ruling even though he feels that the health and safety of the general public is at risk if the permits are granted.
"Texas leads the nation in alcohol-related fatalities," Fors said. "I feel that before a license is issued to an establishment like Six Flags that an alcohol impact study should be conducted."
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What happened
A state administrative judge ruled on Friday that the alcohol permits of Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor should be granted.
What’s next
Parties unhappy with the decision have 15 days to file exceptions and the other party then has another 15 days to file responses.
The judge has 30 days to make any changes to the recommendation before sending it to the TABC administrator who makes the final decision.
Parties then have 20 days to file a motion for rehearing. If the permit is granted, then the protesters have no other opportunities to appeal.
On Friday, a state administrative judge recommended that mixed-beverage licenses for Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor should be approved.
"No unusual conditions or situations exist that would warrant refusal of the permits," wrote State Administrative Law Judge Tanya Cooper in the ruling.
Six Flags, which serves beer and margaritas at its park in San Antonio, said it was pleased with the decision.
"This is a service many of our guests have requested and one that we’ll be able to offer this season," said Six Flags spokeswoman Sharon Parker. The parks’ management has said that it plans to sell only beer at the two Arlington parks.
SeaWorld in San Antonio and Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels have sold alcohol at their theme parks for several years, as do Disney’s theme parks in Florida.
The two parks filed their intent to apply for the mixed-beverage licenses in December 2007. Hundreds of local residents wrote and called the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission’s offices to protest the application, including Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck.
"I’m disappointed, but I hope that Six Flags will be very careful in how they serve," Cluck said. He added he would feel more comfortable if the parks had proposed a way to keep track of the number of drinks a guest had and imposed a maximum limit.
Cluck said he would be meeting with the city’s attorneys on Monday to discuss any legal options. He did not expect that the city would file an appeal.
What’s ahead
The judge’s ruling is not final, and a process of appeals must be played out first before the ruling can be sent to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission’s administrator to be signed. With Six Flags Over Texas opening on Feb. 28 this year, it is not likely that the park’s permits will be finalized in time for opening day.
Community reaction
Carl Fors, a Fort Worth resident who had also opposed the permit, said he was not surprised by the ruling even though he feels that the health and safety of the general public is at risk if the permits are granted.
"Texas leads the nation in alcohol-related fatalities," Fors said. "I feel that before a license is issued to an establishment like Six Flags that an alcohol impact study should be conducted."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What happened
A state administrative judge ruled on Friday that the alcohol permits of Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor should be granted.
What’s next
Parties unhappy with the decision have 15 days to file exceptions and the other party then has another 15 days to file responses.
The judge has 30 days to make any changes to the recommendation before sending it to the TABC administrator who makes the final decision.
Parties then have 20 days to file a motion for rehearing. If the permit is granted, then the protesters have no other opportunities to appeal.