Comments on: Contributor Opinion By Temperance Blalock: County Should Not Be In Liquor Business http://rockvillecentral.com/2009/04/contributor-opinion-by-temperance-blalock-county-should-not-be-in-liquor-business.html/ News and views on Rockville, Maryland since 2007 Mon, 28 Feb 2011 21:01:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: laura blalock http://rockvillecentral.com/2009/04/contributor-opinion-by-temperance-blalock-county-should-not-be-in-liquor-business.html/comment-page-1/#comment-1039 laura blalock Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:19:51 +0000 http://rockvillecentral.com/2009/04/16/contributor-opinion-by-temperance-blalock-county-should-not-be-in-liquor-business/#comment-1039 didn't know you were taking pictures these days, temperance.... they are nicelaura didn’t know you were taking pictures these days, temperance…. they are nicelaura

]]> By: Raynell C. http://rockvillecentral.com/2009/04/contributor-opinion-by-temperance-blalock-county-should-not-be-in-liquor-business.html/comment-page-1/#comment-1038 Raynell C. Sat, 20 Jun 2009 02:24:09 +0000 http://rockvillecentral.com/2009/04/16/contributor-opinion-by-temperance-blalock-county-should-not-be-in-liquor-business/#comment-1038 I agree with the original poster. It seems a bit odd that the county controls the sale of alcohol so strictly. It would be like the federal government saying that they could be the only one selling cigarettes. It takes away business from stores that would normally sell it as well, funneling money away from small businesses (and big businesses as well) to the government, which seems unethical. I agree with the original poster. It seems a bit odd that the county controls the sale of alcohol so strictly. It would be like the federal government saying that they could be the only one selling cigarettes. It takes away business from stores that would normally sell it as well, funneling money away from small businesses (and big businesses as well) to the government, which seems unethical.

]]> By: Bill Bird http://rockvillecentral.com/2009/04/contributor-opinion-by-temperance-blalock-county-should-not-be-in-liquor-business.html/comment-page-1/#comment-1037 Bill Bird Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:32:00 +0000 http://rockvillecentral.com/2009/04/16/contributor-opinion-by-temperance-blalock-county-should-not-be-in-liquor-business/#comment-1037 Having lived in PG and Anne Arundel counties, that allow beer, wine and liquor to be sold in private establishments, I find prices to be higher in those counties. It would be nice if Montgomery could push a portion of the revenue toward health care related to alcohol abuse. In MOntgomery, I only wish I could purchase liquor on Sundays, but work around it. Having lived in PG and Anne Arundel counties, that allow beer, wine and liquor to be sold in private establishments, I find prices to be higher in those counties. It would be nice if Montgomery could push a portion of the revenue toward health care related to alcohol abuse. In MOntgomery, I only wish I could purchase liquor on Sundays, but work around it.

]]> By: Max http://rockvillecentral.com/2009/04/contributor-opinion-by-temperance-blalock-county-should-not-be-in-liquor-business.html/comment-page-1/#comment-1036 Max Sat, 18 Apr 2009 18:39:00 +0000 http://rockvillecentral.com/2009/04/16/contributor-opinion-by-temperance-blalock-county-should-not-be-in-liquor-business/#comment-1036 I'm also disappointed by the recent events regarding the liquor license for SuperFresh. Strangely, it appears it was primarily opposed by businesses who were afraid of competition, not increased crime or addiction. These same businesses are hobbled by the county law and have to buy their liquor through the county liquor stores--adding to the cost to consumers. ><br /><br />When I recently visited a Trader Joes in California, I was shocked by the lower prices--the same bottle of wine was nearly HALF the price. So who's making the additional profit in Montgomery County? Montgomery County, which is facing a half billion dollar hole in their budget and isn't going to give up this income without a fight.<br /><br />So what's the purpose of the county's draconian control of liquor? It's not about crime nor temperance nor price controls nor the public good, but income--and I'm not sure that's the right reason governments should run retail businesses. I’m also disappointed by the recent events regarding the liquor license for SuperFresh. Strangely, it appears it was primarily opposed by businesses who were afraid of competition, not increased crime or addiction. These same businesses are hobbled by the county law and have to buy their liquor through the county liquor stores–adding to the cost to consumers. >

When I recently visited a Trader Joes in California, I was shocked by the lower prices–the same bottle of wine was nearly HALF the price. So who’s making the additional profit in Montgomery County? Montgomery County, which is facing a half billion dollar hole in their budget and isn’t going to give up this income without a fight.

So what’s the purpose of the county’s draconian control of liquor? It’s not about crime nor temperance nor price controls nor the public good, but income–and I’m not sure that’s the right reason governments should run retail businesses.

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