Wicomico Liquor Dispensaries Are For the Children?

I don’t think so; but that seems to be one of only two arguments to keep the antiquated Wicomico County Liquor Control Board (LCB). The other argument appears to be one of money.

LCB chair Stewart Haemel painted pictures of little kids walking to school and buying liquor on the way. Could it happen? Sure. Will it? Probably not. Despite LCB supporters claims that there will be a liquor store on every corner, this wouldn’t be the case if the legislature abolished the LCB. The number of liquor stores would be limited. In addition, the market will regulate the behavior of license holders.

A license to sell liquor isn’t cheap. If a license holder is caught selling to minors they can lose their license, possibly forever. This is not the case with the LCB. Despite the arguments of Haemel and fellow board member Ron Alessi to the contrary, the LCB’s record on this issue isn’t spotless. The LCB has been caught selling to minors. Of course the Liquor Licensing Board can’t take the LCB’s license away.

LCB proponents also claim that Wicomico County would lose too much money by abolishing the LCB. This is only true in a vacuum. License fees would need to be increased. Current license holders appear to be willing to pay extra for the privilege of other cost savings (and efficiencies) inherent in the abolition of the LCB. Liquor will cost less (to license holders). They can have their product delivered and even get emergency deliveries if necessary.

What really amazes me in this whole affair is how Republicans like Haemel and Alessi can claim that the government not only should compete against private business, but that they are more efficient in doing so.

Ed - this was a post from April that didn’t get up for some reason. The subject, however, remains current.

Technorati Tags: Maryland, Wicomico, politics, Wicomico politics, Stevie Prettyman, Joe Holloway, Rick Pollitt, liquor licensing

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