Reflecting on drinking responsibly

Homer Simpson's observation on alcohol is applicable to the open container law of Whitefish: "Here is to alcohol, the cause of — and solution to — all life's problems."

As the council has stirred up a healthy debate and discussion of motor boats, alcohol and open containers, I would like to explain my position, using Homer's observation.

Having grown up in Whitefish, I have seen firsthand the many destructive and enjoyable aspects of alcohol. When we were a community of 2,500 in the 1960s, drinking problems were much more limited. Nonetheless, I buried many family and friends over the last four decades because of alcohol.

Those events, as well as the loss of lives on Whitefish Lake due to alcohol, provide a certain perspective. Thus, I do not shy away from controversy or an unpopular position, especially when doing so will contribute to the safety and enjoyment of Whitefish for our citizens.

The reality of times past were that, for the most part, Whitefish's citizens took care of themselves and resolved most drinking concerns without the need of police or legislation. However, Whitefish Lake, as reflected in the only person to testify before the city council on Monday, has seen its share of death because of drunken boaters.

A recent Whitefish Pilot op-ed piece titled "Puritanical values are hurting Whitefish" lamented the changes taking place in response to alcohol-related problems. The nameless critic was quite critical of Whitefish's Police Department. I don't know who the author was or his age, but I also come from strong working stock known to drink and enjoy Whitefish.

My father, nicknamed "Wild Cat, Gunny Sack, One-Eyed Muri" by Mike Gwiazdon, when they both worked on the expansion of the Anaconda Aluminum Co. plant in the mid 1960s, was a proud member of IBEW. My brother Pat is a lineman for Flathead Electric Cooperative. My oldest brother, Mike, has been a bartender for the Bigfork Inn for years. Mike served many a year in bars and taverns in Whitefish as well.

There are plenty of Muri stories that involved alcohol. Some involved the loss of dear friends and almost the loss of a brother.

As a former Whitefish city attorney who prosecuted problem drinkers in the 1980s, as well as being known for enjoying the fermented waters of Whitefish myself, I have observed first hand that "the times they are a changing." The police were not needed downtown nearly as frequently as they are now.

DUIs were far and few 20 to 40 years ago. The working class of Whitefish, as well as the bankers, business owners and other residents, did not contribute nearly as much to the problems facing today's Whitefish because of excess alcohol use and abuse.

Whitefish is no longer a community of 2,500. We are rapidly approaching 7,500 residents. Our tourism trade increases our population to well over 10,000 in the summer and winter. Many of these tourists fill our taverns to capacity.

Instead of bars and bartenders policing themselves and handling the problem drinkers, the bars and bartenders are increasingly requiring police intervention — and then complaining about it.

A reading of the Whitefish Pilot's Police Log frequently reflects that downtown Whitefish in the late evenings and early mornings is more like a war zone than "a friendly small town."

Another sobering trend is the 100 per cent increase in DUI citations from 2004 to 2005. In 2004, there were 55 DUI citations. In 2005, there have been 111 — and the holiday party scene is still ahead of us.

I take strong exception to the nameless author who assumes that it is the function of our police department, and hence all taxpayers, to "police" taverns. We taxpayers should not be burdened with significantly increasing demands placed on both our police and emergency services because today's drinker and today's bartender doesn't know when "enough is enough."

This brings me to the topic of the open-container law and its applicability to both downtown Whitefish and Whitefish Lake. There was no need for an open-container law in Whitefish — downtown or otherwise — when I was growing up in Whitefish. Part of the reason was we did a better job all-around of policing ourselves. That, combined with a significant smaller population, resulted in considerably fewer alcohol related problems.

I got out of line a couple of times in my youth and was put in my place by friends, brothers and my father. Rick Blair, Whitefish's health guru, who can be blown over with a strong wind, started his life in Whitefish as a bartender. He could get my youthful attention and resolve my antics with a wise word or two — not to mention cutting me off from the false courage and bravado.

One of the simplest solutions for Whitefish's bartenders is to cut off intoxicated persons early in the evening. And yes, the law does hold bartenders and owners of tavern responsible for over serving patrons.

Regretfully, we are forced to face up to the increasing problem of the minority causing problems for the majority. That, coupled with Whitefish's growing population, requires more oversight.

The reason I have taken a strong, verbal and consistent position on the open-container law isn't "puritanical values" but an increasing growth of drinking-related problems and crimes in Whitefish.

This summer, as I was setting out on a kayak trip with a friend on Whitefish Lake, four "boaters" were getting into their boat next to me. These boaters were seasonal residents of Whitefish Lake. It was obvious that all four were intoxicated in the afternoon and were going out for a joy ride. They were a menace to all other Whitefish Lake users — not to mention themselves.

Yet they and others like themselves will be the most likely candidates for police and emergency intervention. I am afraid that the increasing culture of the "more is better" and drinking required as part of any social or recreational endeavor is only going to increase the need for more police and emergency personnel.

Mayor's Andy Feury's vote to allow open containers on Whitefish Lake does not cause me angst. As a council, we have highlighted and allowed our community to have a healthy and meaningful debate and discussion on Whitefish's growing problem of drinking-related concerns and problems. As a community, it isn't puritanical to insist upon safe and responsible boating, as well as well as good behavior upon exiting a tavern.

I encourage those of you who treasure your boating and drinking to continue to do so in a safe and sober manner so as to avoid Whitefish needing to extend the ban on open containers to Whitefish Lake.

Tom Muri is a member of the Whitefish City Council.