Many of the bars Uptown still will open before the Homecoming Parade on Saturday despite Ohio University President Roderick McDavis' request that they stay closed, McDavis said at a press conference yesterday.
McDavis met with at least 25 local bar and tavern owners yesterday in an effort to persuade them to leave the bars closed Saturday before the 10 a.m. parade. The bar owners declined, in part, because of prior arrangements with groups and visiting alumni, he said.
The Athens Police Department is expecting 5,000 alumni for the weekend's events.
I thought it was a good discussion
McDavis said at a press conference yesterday. He also said he was aware that it is a little late.
Seniors Zac Williams and Jenny Smith said they had not planned to frequent a bar before the parade. Both, however, said they thought McDavis was overstepping his bounds in asking bar owners to not open.
Unless (McDavis) wants to pay them for being open Smith said. As a business person I would politely give him the middle finger.
Williams, who said he is participating in the parade, said he did not believe that an alcohol-free Uptown would hinder the plans of visitors.
I think (alumni) will be partying enough on Friday night
he said.
The disagreement began when some bars began advertising special early hours for Homecoming weekend. Joel Schectman, owner of Skipper's Bar & Grill, 22 W. Union St., and the Blue Gator, 63 N. Court St., said he saw the meeting as a good first step.
I think (McDavis) recognizes some of the drinking issues
he said, adding that these problems are not merely confined to the university, but are community issues.
McDavis said he wants to have more meetings, as part of his overall attempt to combat drinking problems on campus and within the university.
This is just the beginning
he said.
Though the weekend's celebrations are on the cusp of Halloween, McDavis said he thinks students will respond in a positive way.
Our goal is not to bring back prohibition
he said.
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Justin Thompson
