The Winslow City Council approved a resolution to designate its downtown area as an entertainment district. In the absence of Vice Mayor Bob Schlesinger, the council voted unanimously to approve the resolution. The district will extend east from Eagle Pavilion, located at 523 W. Second St., to the La Posada Hotel, located at 303 E. Second St. and south from Fourth Street to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway right-of-way on First Street.

The motion read, “Arizona Revised Statutes which establishes entertainment districts, allow for a waiver of the 300 foot setback requirement from schools and churches for the sale and consumption of alcohol.” There are no schools in the district, however, there are four churches in the area, which without the establishment of the entertainment district would restrict bar and restaurant development.

During Call to the Public, citizens took to the podium to speak to the council against an ordinance proposed by Mayor Tom McCauley. The ordinance, which is still being developed with city staff and city attorney, Nicholle Harris, would add members of the lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender and queer (LBGTQ) community to the list of protected classes in Winslow.

The matter was first discussed in the city council meeting of Sept. 25, in which a representative of ONE Community AZ presented to the council. In the presentation, Angela Hughey, president of the group, explained that many Arizona cities had signed a pledge promising to protect members of the LBGTQ community from being fired, losing their homes, or other discriminations based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

In last week’s meeting, Winslow resident Lou Slonczewski addressed the council. “I have four questions and my own view point on the subject. Question number one, has council informed the business community of the proposed ordinance and if so, what has been the response? Question two, does the council have any intention of notifying the general public about this new proposed ordinance to get their input? Number three, has there been a problem with the business community discriminating against any one group of people? Four, is the council unanimously supporting this new proposed ordinance? I am not in favor of any ordinance that gives one group of people protected status over others in our community.”

The council did not answer Slonczewski’s questions as is policy in the call to the public agenda item.

Frank Garza, a Winslow resident, also took the podium to agree with Slonczewski’s stance. “Some of you may think that passing this ordinance is simply to make sure there is no discrimination and to bring in more business. I was told today by City Human Resources Director David Coolidge that the city has no known cases of discrimination and that they know of none with the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) from Winslow businesses regarding LGBT. Therefore, an ordinance is not needed or required. The people of Winslow have shown to be fair. Don’t kid yourself. Your vote regarding this ordinance is a vote to help further the cause that allows the LBGT community to go against God’s word.”

Garza then quoted scripture to substantiate his statement and invoked the words “In God We Trust,” on American money. “I am just here to inform you,” he continued, “what God’s word says. It is up to you if you wish to vote yes. If you do vote yes, your name will forever reflect that vote despite what was clearly spoken to you today regarding God’s word and direction.”

In other business, the council:

* Proclaimed Oct. 7-13 as Fire Prevention Week.

* Appointed Carolyn Eitenmiller to the Arts Council. There are still three vacancies on the Arts Council and two on the Board of Adjustment. To apply for either position, contact Suzy Wetzel, the City Clerk at City Hall, located at 21 N. Williamson Ave.

* Approved a request for support in the way of police presence and traffic control for the 72nd annual Christmas Parade to be held Nov. 17. Vendor fees were also waived.

* Accepted a grant in the amount of $10,000 from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to support personnel (overtime) services for the Winslow Police Department.

* Accepted a grant in the amount of $20,000 to support personnel (overtime) services and employee related expenses to enhance the DUI/Impaired driving enforcement.

* Approved the quarterly report from the Winslow Justice and Municipal Courts for the period of July-Sept. Justice B.J. Little credited the city ordinance regulating possession of alcohol on city property with increasing the number of initial appearances in his courtroom.

* Cancelled the regularly scheduled council meeting for Dec. 25.

The next meeting of the Winslow City Council will be at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 23, in the council chambers, located at 115 E. Second St.