The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Partnership puts off discussion of possible 21-ordinance repeal

The Partnership for Alcohol Safety won’t discuss a new movement to repeal the 21-ordinance any time soon, one official said on Wednesday.

Kelly Bender, the University of Iowa community harm reduction initiatives coordinator, said the partnership likely wouldn’t discuss the petition.

“Our group is so diverse,” she said. “We haven’t wanted to place that [discussion] on people.”

Bender said that many of the group’s efforts and discussions are centered around the culture of downtown post 21-ordinance. The Partnership for Alcohol Safety is composed of both UI and Iowa City officials.

Two downtown bar operators filed paperwork last week to repeal the 21-ordinance. The law, which went into effect in June 2010, prohibits underage patrons from entering the majority of bars after 10 p.m.

City Clerk Marian Karr previously told The Daily Iowan that a minimum of 2,500 registered-voter signatures are required. Those signatures would be verified through voter rolls, and the City Council would then vote on the matter or put it before voters.

“We’ll see where that goes,” Bender said. “Most people [in the partnership] would be supportive of keeping the law the way it is."

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