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Cole to try a second time for power over alcohol

BY CALEB HALE, THE SOUTHERN

Monday, July 30, 2007 6:55 AM CDT

CARBONDALE - Carbondale Mayor Brad Cole will take a second crack at becoming the sole liquor licensing authority Tuesday.

The proposal is the only item on the agenda, slated for discussion at a special city council meeting at 7 p.m. in the Carbondale Civic Center, 200 S. Illinois Ave.

The proposal, which would change Carbondale's liquor license approval process from being decided by the full city council to the mayor acting as the liquor commissioner, was tabled at the July 17 meeting because council and community members had concerns about transparency on how decisions would be made.

The council asked Cole to add language into his proposal that addressed the issue. The mayor said he's done that now.

"There was some discussion about having some formalized language in the ordinance about reporting licenses and hearings to the council, and that has been incorporated into the proposal," Cole said. "So, it's my anticipation since we have made the changes people requested it would meet their approval."

Cole said he hasn't spoken to any council members about the changes, so he can't say for sure whether they will agree to the changes.

The proposal also recommends doubling the mayor's annual $9,000 salary as the only liquor commissioner, but the increase wouldn't take effect until the next mayoral term in four years.

All city council members The Southern attempted to contact for comments either couldn't be reached or did not respond to calls by deadline.

caleb.hale@thesouthern.com, 351-5090