Teen
polls North Logan opinions on alcohol law changes
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Related story: Winger's has town's only liquour license
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By Jen Pulham
March 11, 2005 | NORTH LOGAN -- As
North Logan City Council prepares to make a decision
regarding a new liquor license policy, they will
be drawing from information gathered by 13-year-old
Brian Williams.
Brian, a student at North Cache 8-9 Center,
conducted a survey of North Logan citizens to
get their input on changes to the liquor license
policy. The idea for doing the project actually
came from Brian's father, Councilman Mark Williams.
As Brian searched for ideas for his Eagle Scout
project, Mark suggested the survey.
"Before Brian was going to do the Eagle Scout
project, I was going to do the survey," said Mark.
At first, Brian rejected the idea, but he eventually
decided that is was the right one. "I want [the
council] to know what the people want done," said
Brian.
The council actually conducted its own survey
in September 2004 with only two questions: "Should
North Logan allow the sale of alcohol in restaurants?"
and "Does selling alcohol positively impact economic
development?" Citizens were more or less divided
on the first question, but 44 percent answered
"yes" to the second question. |
NORTH LOGAN SURVEY LEADER:
"I want [the council]
to know what the people want done," says
Brian Williams, 13. / Photo by Jen Pulham
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Brian's survey, which was not sponsored by city council,
contained five questions
regarding alcohol in the community. North Logan
has 4,960 registered voters, and Brian needed to survey
364. Brian had help from other Scouts, Scoutmasters,
and his dad. At first, the group went in pairs, but
toward the end of the project, they were comfortable
handing out surveys individually.
"We had over 130 hours," said Brian. "We went out
when it was raining and when it was snowing."
North Logan citizens were mostly willing to help,
and Brian ended up surveying 558 people, 50 percent
women and 50 percent men, the majority being between
45 and 54 years old.
Overall, Brian enjoyed the project. "I thought it was
pretty hard. It was pretty tiring, but it was fun."
Brian presented his information to the council March
3 and at the end of his presentation said, "I hope you
guys use this information to make a decision."
Members of the council and the mayor praised Brian
for his work. Mayor Val Potter said, "You've earned
your badge."
Brian has one more merit badge to earn before he can
become an Eagle Scout. After graduating from high school,
Brian plans to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, attend Brigham Young University,
and get married.
NW
MS |
