Craig Daily Press / Bill Muldoon: Stop sales to minors

June 19, 2008

Craig — To the editor:

A Craig Police Department liquor-sales-to-minors compliance check May 3 resulted in 10 more businesses cited for failure to comply. Once again, the police spent a lot of time and taxpayers’ money to enforce the law, and the City Council continues to respond by meting out meaningless penalties to some of the violators and none to others.

It would seem justified to impose substantial fines on both buyer and seller, to exponentially escalate on second offense. In addition, suspend the seller’s license for 60 business days. On third offense mandate still harsher penalties and counseling to the buyer, and revoke the seller’s liquor license.

Such a proposal might put some retailers out of business. Before a violation occurs, they have the option either to obey the law or quit selling alcoholic beverages, if they cannot control their business. The City Council, on the other hand, has a duty to the citizens of Craig to curb alcoholic beverage sales to minors. Warnings, written warnings, five-day license suspensions, 20-day suspensions and other “draconian” measures obviously do not cut it. City Council, meet your responsibilities to the public and put an end to a serious problem.

Bill Muldoon