DeKALB | Reading Day survived after all, and without the help of the student association.

On Tuesday, the city’s liquor commission discussed the proposed legislation that was sent back to them by the city council. The legislation would have eliminated outdoor permits for parties on Reading Day. It was decided, however, this was not something the city should regulate.

The commission unanimously voted to advise the city council to not approve the proposed legislation.

“It’s their day,” said liquor commission member Mike Embrey. “I don’t think we should enact a social agenda.”

The commission determined the main reason city officials requested a ban on outdoor permits on Reading Day was because of noise complaints from area residents. Legislation already is in place to regulate noise during the week and weekend.

Liquor commission member George Shur motioned to hear comments from a small audience of citizens gathered at the meeting. One student spoke up.

“Reading Day is not always needed by the student,” said Dan Porter, an undecided major and student-at-large. “Students should choose how they want to spend their day. I really think it’s a bad move to govern Reading Day like this.”

“What we are essentially doing here is drafting laws,” said city attorney Norma Guess. “Our first and foremost role is to protect the city and its citizens.”

Janessa Ensinger is a DeKalb government beat reporter for the Northern Star.

Despite the student association’s urging of the city council last week to send the outdoor permit legislation back to the liquor commission, no representative from the SA was in attendance. Numerous members of the SA spoke at last week’s meeting, however, and said they would like to participate in the activities of the liquor commission.