Safeguards to Protect Youth and Preserve Community Norms

For Immediate Release:

Contact: Kerry Metzger, Chair of the Empower Tusc Coalition – (330) 340-8275

Date: April 9, 2025

Safeguards to Protect Youth and Preserve Community Norms

The Empower Tusc Coalition is proposing a comprehensive, common-sense set of policy recommendations to the New Philadelphia’s Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) program. These recommendations aim to foster community well-being, protect youth, and ensure responsible alcohol consumption practices within DORA boundaries.

Highlights of the proposed safeguards include:

1. DORA Board Membership: Empower Tusc advocates for the inclusion of a prevention and addiction support specialist on the City’s DORA Board to prioritize public health.
2. Mandatory Alcohol Server Training: Establishments participating in DORA will be required to certify that their staff has completed approved alcohol server training programs annually, ensuring safe and compliant service practices.
3. Public Complaint Mechanism: A system enabling residents to report concerns about safety, underage drinking, or other violations will be established. Complaints will be reviewed monthly by the DORA Board and included in an annual evaluation report.
4. Annual Review Process: Empower Tusc emphasizes the importance of a mandatory annual review to assess community impact, business compliance, and enforcement data, with findings presented to the City Council for transparency.
5. Underage Compliance Checks: Routine compliance checks conducted by local law enforcement, at least quarterly, will ensure accountability for businesses operating within the DORA boundaries.
6. Youth Event Sponsorship Ban: Alcohol-serving establishments and associated vendors will be prohibited from sponsoring events, within the DORA boundaries, targeting youth or primarily attended by minors, safeguarding community norms.
7. Public Health Messaging: All DORA signage and promotional materials will prominently display messaging about safe alcohol consumption and community resources, approved by the DORA Board.
8. Restrictions on Youth-Appealing Branding: Empower Tusc recommends prohibiting marketing materials with designs appealing to minors, such as cartoon characters or toy-like elements.
9. Limits on Alcohol Serving: Establishments will be limited to serving one DORA beverage per customer at a time, with potential caps on the number of participating businesses.
10. Clear DORA Boundary Markings: Empower Tusc highlights the need for signage and boundary indicators, ensuring clarity for residents and visitors alike.
11. Restricted Hours of Operation:  The Empower Tusc Coalition recommends a special event only DORA. However, if the city council approves expanded hours for the DORA, the DORA activities should operate within reasonable designated hours and days.
12. Promotion of Non-Alcoholic Alternatives: Establishments will be encouraged to offer creative non-alcoholic options, such as alcohol-free beer, wine or mocktails, to foster an inclusive community atmosphere.

These recommendations, presented by Empower Tusc, aim to strike a balance between fostering community engagement and preserving the safety and well-being of residents. Kerry Metzger, Chair of the Empower Tusc Coalition, stated, “The coalition is dedicated to prioritizing youth protections and encouraging responsible practices to ensure the well-being of our community.”

For additional information, please contact Kerry Metzger, Chair of the Empower Tusc Coalition at metzgeremptusc@outlook.com.