I just got off the phone with Mr. John Cannon. It seems that "ALL" of us got it wrong when we stated the vote on the Dispensary System was 6-1. Technically, John Cannon does not vote unless it is necessary.
That being said, Mr. Cannon did say that if he were to have voted he would have voted it down at this point and time, for a very good reason.
Considering that legislative body would have had to deliver a letter to the State Delegates giving very good, well thought out, well investigated reasons as to why it should be abolished, Mr. Cannon claims there simply wasn't enough information YESTERDAY to pass the vote through.
Other Council Members expressed the same concern and quite frankly, they're right. The replacement of revenue at this point and time is nowhere near convincing enough to SELL the Delegates on such a change and that has to be researched much further.
Mr. Cannon also agrees that he would like nothing more than the Taxpayers taking it to a vote in 2010 and he feels that will more than likely happen. However, yesterday was not the day to move it forward.
Now I know many will argue this point and that's what this Blog is all about. It was NOT dropped yesterday. It has in fact been postponed so more time can be spent digging into just how the County can replace that revenue.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
22 comments:
Nice post joe. Thanks!
The County has problems that are real -- how liquor is sold is not one of them. This is the same thing as Barrie Tilghman's spouting about the drill academy to divert attention to inaction on the real public concerns.
RINO John wants to please everyone, like usual.
anonymous 9:37: Mrs. Haemel, you should use your name when commenting.
I really hope that is the case that they just want to have a stronger arguement, however Haemel doesn't sound like that was the impression he got?
It backfired on Cannon yesterday. Shows total lack of leadership.
So,am I given to understand that nothing other than the revenue matters? What about to total lack of oversight? What about the needless foray of the LIQUOR dispensary into beer and wine sales? What about the fact that the dispensary is not generating anywhere near the profit that it should? What about the fact that for all thier posturing about safety,the dispensary is answerable to no one for breaking laws regarding sales violations?
Time after time in this county we let the almighty buck overide reason and propriety.It is disgraceful.
While I agree there are many more issues to be addressed, all of what you mention is being considered as well. At this moment the main topic seems to be the revenue. They simpoly weren't prepared to move forward, according to Mr. Cannon.
Thanks to VOICE and the tax cap we really need those bucks from booze!
Why does that surprise us? Cannon is not a leader nor has he moved anything of importance forward. He tries to satisfy everyone except those he has to work with and yesterday was a example of his moving and shaking that didn't work. If what is being written on this blog is true, there are council persons who didn't even know what they had voted for. We'll have to watch the replay and learn what really happened.
Joe:We will wait to see whether there is any real political will to address the other issues I mentioned.I have my doubts.I suspect that the pols are afraid to take the kind of stand on principle that Stevie Prettyman did. Too many voters in this county are hypersensitive about the bucks and are not interested in issues liek this unless they are directly impacted.It is very sad commentary on our collective social values.
I was particualrly amused by the American Legion representative's dire warnings that an increase in crime and prostitution would follow if we were to privatize.
I would like to see the study that lead to that idiotic assertion.
Talbot county has been privatized for years...las ttime I checked, they have far less crime and prostition than good 'ol Salisbury and Wicomico....wow....maybe it's the dispensary's fault...LOL
Speaking of Talbot county...How are they doing since the privatization? Have they adequately replaced the revenue? Or have they lost money since?
And really Joe? I doubt seriously that Mrs Haemel would be commenting here, let alone referencing BPT to make an argument. Again, not everyone that disagrees with you on this issue works for the LCB or is married to an employee.
And anon 11:44, the WCLCB charter encouraged that unnecessary foray into beer and wine sales, along with an attempt to satisfy customers who asked for it. Probably wasn't a good idea, like selling smokes, but that charter says to establish a monopoly on liquor, beer and wine. Talk to your reps in the state house if you think it is wrong, not your county council.
BC
Anonymous said...
Thanks to VOICE and the tax cap we really need those bucks from booze!
1:16 PM
Another misguided individual heard from.
Humor me and tell me what VOICE and the revenue cap has prevented us from doing? Could you please give us some very important issues to discuss here. You don't even have to sign your name, unless of course you want to.
Maybe I will change my mind and side with you.
I can't believe that Dave Suiter, said "privatization could result in higher costs and less dependability on deliveries."
Dave the liquor store doesn't deliver at all, end of story. Dave a straight up nice guy, I just think he's misinformed here.
I just watched the rerun and it does sound like Gail is for moving forward with a referendum, it was just postponed until September.
I hope they get serious about this issue, the public should be included every chance we can get to vote on local democracy. The council persons opinions matter not if they are supposed to be serving the will of the people, not there own personal agenda.
Look, I just came from Oskosh, Wisconsin.
Do you have any idea what they do at sundown. They slide a bar through the liquor entry doors at every establishment at ban all alcohol sales after a certain time. Moreover, alcohol sales are banned on Sunday's too.
I would hope that our elected County officials would allow our citizenry to decide the fate of the Liquor system. If they don't then 'we the people' have the reserved right through the referendum process, in addition, to a recall petition.
Thats the 400 thousand dollar question-how to replace the lost revenue.
That business being in the same place with full inventory would sell for well over $1,000,000, just the main store, it's a great location. Selling all three stores we are talking close to $2 million or more in total. That would fill the revenue for 5 years even if they were at their best turning over $400,000 which we know is not the case, they average $288,000 a year over the last 13 years. There is no doubt in my mind that they can find alternative revenues within 5 years, look at who we are dealing with.
anaon 4:59 pm...I sugeest that you go back and read the roginal definitions in article 2B of the maryland code.Dispendaries were originally established to distribute spirit liquor.The wicomico dispensary folks hoodwinked the local delegation into a 2000 bill that expanded that authority into beer and wines under 14% alcohol content.That bill was introduced in Annapolis without county council knowledge...so much for caring about the will of the people.
And thank you for making the real point here....the dispensary is not at all about safety or convenience....it is about generating county revenue....at the expense of other county taxpayers!
I suspect that is the county wanted to monopolize the busines that you are in, you'd have some objections.
The last county to privatize was Dorchester. Need to see what they did so we can follow their lead. A lot of people already buy in Cambridge or Easton when they are traveling that way.
I didn't hear any restaurant owners objecting to a referendum. One person is involved with a local faternal organization and the other was a manager of a local hotel franchise. The meeting I saw didn't have any restaurant Owners speaking out against a referendum. If more restaurant owners don't go to speak out than they deserve what they are getting. Gouged.
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