Booze beach ban might be overturned!

Thank goodness! Looks like the one-year trial ban on booze at all San Diego beaches--just approved by the San Diego City Council--might get overturned.

According to an article in the San Diego Union-Tribune, activists on both sides of the contentious debate say it's all but certain that a referendum drive soon will be launched to overturn a one-year trial ban the San Diego City Council approved Tuesday.

The ordinance, imposing a 24-hour alcohol ban at all San Diego beaches, bay shores and coastal parks, is scheduled to take effect 30 days after Mayor Jerry Sanders signs it. A spokesman said the mayor would do so early next week.

Then the clock starts ticking.
Opponents will have 30 days to gather 30,209 petition signatures – 5 percent of the vote in the last general election – for a referendum. If the enough signatures are certified as valid, the City Council would have to either rescind the ban or put it to a public vote within 11 months, during which time it would remain on hold.
Council votes to outlaw alcohol on the beach in 1991 and 2002 were reversed after successful petition drives.

Our fingers (and bottle openers) are crossed!