WJJQ LOCAL NEWS
Marathon County passes Social Host Ordinance

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Marathon County has joined several of its own communities in approving a social host ordinance.

The County Board made that decision at their meeting yesterday. The measure targets anyone hosting an underage drinking party with fines. Wausau, Weston and most recently Kronenwetter passed similar measures.

The county isn't the exact same law because part of the state's alcohol law prevents that change The county modified the definitions as they pertain to a statute on the books. The move accomplishes the same goal even though it expands the definition of premises to include all private property.

Public health and safety chair Jim Schaefer says the move is there to stop people from hosting 'take the keys' parties. He says it's a matter of public safety, and reducing the number of these drinking parties will help reduce the number of injuries caused by underage drinking.

Violators of the ordinance could face fines from 500 dollars for the first offense to 10-thousand dollars for a fourth offense.

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