Without a doubt, Bill Clinton's greatest legacy will be his affect on rhetoric. Ignore every fact placed in front of you and stick to your message. A letter to the editor in Tuesday's Daily Times from former Wicomico County Councilman Victor Laws ignores every fact and sticks to the WCLCB's message - we must keep the dispensaries open.
According to Laws the County simply cannot afford to put retail and wholesale liquor sales where they belong - in the private sector. Mr. Laws contends that there is no method of replacing the revenue which would be lost by closing the antiquated dispensary system. Mr. Laws attempts to persuade readers that the only new revenue would come from the opening of four retail liquor stores.
It's ironic that on one hand the WCLCB is trying to tell voters that there would be a liquor store on every corner and then have Laws trying to persuade us that only four stores would open. Actually, Laws is closer to the truth as to the number of stores that would open.
Laws' logic fails when it comes to the source of revenues to replace the dispensary. Bar and club owners have voluntarily come forward and publicly stated that they would be happy to pay increased licensing fees in order to rid themselves of the dispensary system.
So far, the failed rhetoric of the WCLCB has been:
cross posted at Delmarva Dealings
Technorati Tags: Maryland, Wicomico, politics, Wicomico politics, WCLCB, Liquor Control Board
According to Laws the County simply cannot afford to put retail and wholesale liquor sales where they belong - in the private sector. Mr. Laws contends that there is no method of replacing the revenue which would be lost by closing the antiquated dispensary system. Mr. Laws attempts to persuade readers that the only new revenue would come from the opening of four retail liquor stores.
It's ironic that on one hand the WCLCB is trying to tell voters that there would be a liquor store on every corner and then have Laws trying to persuade us that only four stores would open. Actually, Laws is closer to the truth as to the number of stores that would open.
Laws' logic fails when it comes to the source of revenues to replace the dispensary. Bar and club owners have voluntarily come forward and publicly stated that they would be happy to pay increased licensing fees in order to rid themselves of the dispensary system.
So far, the failed rhetoric of the WCLCB has been:
We owe jobs to dispensary employeesWicomico County can't replace the lost revenueOnly the dispensaries enforce the liquor lawsThere will be a liquor store on every cornerFREE Money
cross posted at Delmarva Dealings
Technorati Tags: Maryland, Wicomico, politics, Wicomico politics, WCLCB, Liquor Control Board
I'm not hearing any reasons or logic in your post as to why privitization would be beneficial ...just a lot of rethortic. Nice try though G.A.
ReplyDeleteTwo Cents
I have no problem of ridding this county of being in the liquor business. However both the city and county has miserably failed on smart growth. That being said I believe they should limit the number of license to sell liquor.
ReplyDeleteFor example, no closer than 4 miles apart. That would allievate
liquor sales on every corner.
A lot of people here in Wicomico bypass the system and have been doing so for a long time by purchasing in Dorchester County or Delaware. Bringing these customers back to purchasing in Wicomico will boost revenue.
ReplyDeleteOther businesses would benefit because with competition there would be a boost in advertising to compete for business. There are many sources to gain revenue without putting it all on alcohol.
It also doesn't mean there would be seedy liquor stores everywhere, that is a fear factor the present system would have you believe. Super Giant and other grocery stores could sell it as well.
If Giant could sell it the citizens in the county may for once actually be able to see what real sale prices look like.
ReplyDeleteIf Giant could sell liquor that would more than certainly get their business over this economic hump we are in, and with flying colors
ReplyDeletedont forget the gas you can safe by not having to make a special trip!!!!
ReplyDeletehip.boots
Good post GA. I don't receive the Times any longer, so I haven't read Mr. Law's letter, but wonder is it from the father or the son?
ReplyDeleteThough there are reasons against privitising liquor sales,I think they are outweighed by the possitves that would come from such a change. Most restaurants and bars are for the change and they should get the opportunity to do liquor business the way they want to.
A. Goetz
Walmarts in other area's sell it too. If they had cheap gas they would be the one stop shop
ReplyDeletePeople that live close to Snow Hill/Worcester county, Dorchester county or close to Delaware are buying elsewhere anyway. Why come all the way to Salisbury when there are alternatives? Especially as much as gas costs.
ReplyDeleteIf Walmart sells it at discount prices it may bring those former customers back to purchasing in Wicomico county.