Fraters Libertas

Get On To The Bus?

From yesterday's Grand Forks Herald:

ROCHESTER, Minn. - The City Council voted down an attempt by a man with two pending DWI charges to start a bus service for bar-hoppers.

The 3-2 vote came Monday on a motion to grant Bryce Bjork, 30, of Rochester, a city transportation franchise. Bjork said he was still looking to start his business Oct. 6 under separate state regulations.

"Really, what I'm trying to do is a good thing," said Bjork, who will hire professional drivers. "If there's someone who knows the detrimental effects of driving after you've had a couple of drinks, it's me."

City Attorney Terry Adkins said Bjork has been convicted of driving while intoxicated several times in the past five years, and is scheduled to stand trial on two felony DWIs in December.

His driver's license is canceled and he cannot reapply until October 2006.

Bjork said his business, the Rochester Bar Hopper, will provide an important service by keeping drunken drivers off the streets as well as by enlivening the bars and restaurants along the route.

Sounds reasonable enough. Why did the city turn him down?

Council members disagreed, saying the business would encourage drunken driving.

???

"I'm not sure what the public interest is," said council member Marcia Marcoux. "I do not see a public need for this type of transportation service."

JB Doubtless for Rochester City Council: At least the drunk buses will run.