Civic Center has second alcohol incident this year

Despite tougher measures governing alcohol at private parties at McMinnville Civic Center, one 18-year-old managed to fall between the cracks over the weekend as he was arrested for illegal consumption of alcohol during a company Christmas party at the city-owned facility.

The arrest of Trent Corbin at the Yorozu Christmas party Saturday marked the second time this year someone has been arrested for either consuming or allowing underage people to consume alcohol at private parties at the Civic Center. Corbin faces a misdemeanor count for drinking under the age of 21, which generally carries a fine and public service work. He will remain on the job at Yorozu as the drinking did not happen on paid company time.

?One person decided not to follow the rules but otherwise folks at the party did as they were supposed to do,? said Yorozu manager Robert King. ?It was a good party overall and we?ve enjoyed working with the Civic Center for the past several years for our annual event.?

The teen was arrested after McMinnville patrolman Kenneth Seagraves found he had been drinking, something which is forbidden for people under 21. It was also Seagraves 10 months ago who caught several teenage party-goers consuming alcohol at the Civic Center during a 15th birthday celebration. The girl?s father was cited for allowing minors to drink and was later give probation for the 21 counts which some said was caused by a conflict of cultures since the family hailed from Central America.

Following the incident this January, the city reconsidered its policy which allows alcohol to be served at parties when the Civic Center is rented for private events. However, rental of the facility for such parties was not banned but instead tighter measures, along with those which already existed, were put into place.

Among the measures, according to Parks and Recreation director Carlene Brown, was that no person under 18 is allowed in the facility during parties where alcohol is being served. Also, persons coming to the party are asked for ID at the door and a band placed on their arm with the color announcing whether they are 21 and over.

The man in question Saturday night did have the proper band on his arm; however, he maintained he was served alcohol anyway. The Cookeville company which catered the event has reportedly denied serving the youth alcohol.

?There was over 1,000 people at the party and other than one underage person trying to beat the system, everything went well,? Brown said. ?And, he is suffering the consequences for his actions.?

Brown said there are no more parties planned this month where alcohol has been requested. Rental of the facility costs $65 per hour plus rental of other items such as tables, chairs, kitchen facility and side rooms.