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Show Where is stores' responsibility? Dear Editor: The legislative session is over. The teachers got some concessions, taxes were juggled about, the new liquor package was passed. We're glad it's over, but is it really? The result of the liquor package is that grocery and convenience stores are now not responsible to the public for one ounce of beer they sell. The liquor law as passed requires, re-quires, by state mandate, that all businesses who sell alcohol for "on premise consumption" be licensed by federal, state and city, carry dram shop insurance, hire only T.I.P.S. trained employees, and post a surety bond. Sounds fair, huh ! ! The hitch is that the new law also stops any licensed "on premise consumption" business from selling sell-ing any beer to go, thus, grocery and convenience stores are now virtually vir-tually 100 percent of the total carry-out carry-out of beer products statewide. They have no responsibility to the public. No dram shop insurance, no trained (T.I.P.S.) employees, no surety bond and only a very minimal city license. You say the clerks will be "adult supervised"? The state interpretation interpreta-tion of adult supervision is "an adult must be in the store." In other words, the adult can be in the back room while the minor is selling alcoholic beverages. Adult supervision supervi-sion should be "at the register" for all alcohol sales. I ask the people of this state if this is responsible liquor reform. I think not. Is the state practicing restraint of trade? Are you protected? Is a grocery or convenience store the place for alcohol? The ball is in your court, citizens! Call your state legislator. Your best interest is not being served. If groceries are to accept the sale of alcohol they should be required, by law, to bear full responsibility to the public the same as "on premise" business. Jean Hardman |