Ferentz, UI leaders pushing for 21-only in Iowa City

Some big hitters are lining up in support of Iowa City's 21-and-older bar law.

A campaign committee, 21 Makes Sense, has formed to advocate in favor of the city's new law that bans people younger than 21 from being in bars after 10 p.m.

Committee members include University of Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz, Provost Wallace Loh and Tom Rocklin, the interim vice president for student services. Iowa City Mayor Matt Hayek and former mayors John Balmer and Ernie Lehman also are members.

Before the law took effect June 1, the minimum bar entry age was 19. City Council members voting to change the law said they saw going 21-only as a potential game-changer for addressing underage and binge drinking problems in this college town.

A successful petition drive by opponents of the law has forced the measure to be reviewed. The City Council must either repeal the law or send it to the voters to decide.

Council members have said they plan to put the issue on the Nov. 2 ballot. The council is expected to discuss its plans at its July 12 meeting.

Opponents of the law, led by students and downtown Iowa City bars owners and employees, have organized under then name Yes to Entertaining Students Safely.

A 21-only proposal was defeated 58 percent to 42 percent in 2007. UI leaders sat on the sidelines for that election, and their support this time around is seen as a potential boon for those wanting to keep the law on the books.

“That's kind of the answer to the big question of what's different from before,” said Nick Westergaard, who is serving as 21 Makes Sense campaign manager after his firm, Westergaard Advertising, was hired by the group.

The involvement of UI leaders also will require some political tightrope walking, Westergaard admitted.

Iowa code prohibits the use of public money for political purposes, including advocating for a ballot issue.

UI officials are OK to participate in the campaign as long as they do not use government resources, such as computers and telephones, when doing so, said Charles Smithson, director of the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board. He said he has spoken with UI officials about the issue.

21 Makes Sense has planned a news conference for noon July 7.