An Open Letter on Sunday Alcohol Sales to Elected Officials

I’m sending you this letter to let you know my opposition to the proposal to allow the sale of liquor, beer and wine on Sunday in liquor stores, convenience stores, drug stores, grocery stores and big box stores such as Wal-Mart, Target and Meier. I first need to let you know that my family has been in the liquor business for more than 50 years. I’m in no way a partner or a member of their corporation. I’m speaking on behalf of my community as a city councilman.

Two years ago I appeared before our local Alcohol Beverage Board in opposition to our Kroger store concerning their application to sell liquor in our community. After speaking, an attorney representing Kroger and a Kroger Manager pleaded their case. The attorney proceeded to speak to the Board, in almost these exact words, “Kroger’s has done a study of our community (Lebanon) and determined that more alcohol was needed in Lebanon.” At that moment, I turned to him and said, “I cannot believe you can sit there and make that comment. In our morning newspaper, front page, the headlines stated: “10 JUVENILES ARRRESTED FOR UNDERAGE DRINKING.”  

I addressed the entire room saying, “I cannot believe that they could say that.” From then on, the attorney representing Kroger and the Kroger Manager did not say another word. I asked the board as citizens representing our community that they deny this request. And they did.

However, I learned a good lesson; the local board has no real effect on the sale of liquor in our community. Within 30 days of this hearing, alcohol was on the shelves of our local Kroger store. I had to wait more than 60 days to appear before a hearing at the state level to learn that the local board cannot stop the sale of liquor in our community. I believe this is a major problem.

There is another problem in our state: A convenience store can be opened on any street corner in our community and have the opportunity to sell alcoholic beverages. The local boards cannot stop it. We have enough alcohol on our streets. The need for more is not there. It will not create that much more revenue for our state. What it will create will be more opportunity for more alcohol-related problems. Is a little more revenue worth the problems that it could cause? I don’t think so. The only people who want it are the big box industry and convenience stores.  

I’m going to ask a very tough question to every State Representative, Senator, and the Governor. If you believe that we need to allow Sunday alcohol sales, more than is available right now, then I will assume you believe in the statement that the Kroger’s attorney made—that there is a need for more alcohol in our communities.

I ask each and every one of you, can you go home to your constituents and stand before them in a public meeting and say, “I believe that we need the availability of more alcohol on our streets of our community.” If you can do that, then I am not sure that you are worthy to be representing your community in our wonderful state of Indiana.   

I am a City Councilman from a small town, and I could not stand before my community that I represent and say that I believe we need more alcohol on our streets.

I have another issue I would like to share with you briefly. The state law says you have to be 21 years of age to enter a liquor store or tavern.  However, anyone under the age of 21 can enter a drug store, convenience store, grocery store or any big box business where alcohol is served. This is wrong!

All should have to adhere to the same rules. Any alcoholic beverage should be in its own separate business location. This should be behind closed walls where you have to be 21 to enter. You should have to pay for it at that location to a person who is 21 years of age. Do you find it necessary to expose our children and grandchildren, who are under 21 and who enter all stores, to the selling of alcohol? You do not do this in liquor stores and you should not have to do this in any other store.You tell me what is wrong with this picture. 

 I have kept this as brief as I could but if you have any questions I would be happy to meet with anyone and tell them my story.