Village should reject Binny’s application

In response to the Daily Herald article May 31, “Large Liquor Company Considering Arlington Heights,” John Melaniphy, business and development coordinator for the village said he could not comment on any specific business until papers are signed.

Oh really! He won’t tell anyone about it until after it is signed, sealed and delivered. So much for transparency and the community’s voice.

Village President Mulder’s response was that she believes in letting the free market operate. Unfortunately, the mayor fails to realize alcohol is a “mind altering drug” (defined by the U.S. Government) and although alcohol products are synonymous with joy, celebration and entertainment, there is always the potential “dark side.”

Our organization, the Beverage Retailers Alliance of Illinois is always appreciative of our members receiving the “privilege” of a retail liquor license. BRAI preaches responsible retailing of beer, wine and liquor.

But the sale of alcohol should not be compared to that of ketchup, paper towels or breakfast cereal. The market should not be a free market, but a controlled market which begins by thoughtful, responsible local licensing and enforcement. The number of retail licenses should be limited, and spaced so they are not on top of each other.

The problems that do occur in alcohol retailing start with the license. Applicants don’t ask the alcohol manufacturers, wholesalers or associations for the privilege to sell alcohol, they ask the city, which decides whether to issue that license. But when problems occur the city always blames the industry and rarely recognizes its own role in the matter.

The fact that a neighboring suburb has 42 package sales licenses as a reason why Arlington Heights can have more than 30, reminds me of what my mother always told me: if all your friends jump into Lake Michigan on New Year’s Eve does not mean you should, too.

On behalf of the caring residents of Arlington Heights and its family-owned longtime beverage retailers, please exercise your powers as a home rule government and stop the proliferation of alcohol licensing by denying a retail license to Binny’s. Please don’t turn Arlington Heights into Boozeville, Ill.

Jerry Rosen

Executive director, Beverage Retailers Alliance of Illinois