Anaheim Council Delays Vote on Food Ban at Gas Stations

Anaheim officials Tuesday postponed voting on a proposal to ban prepared food at gas stations that sell alcoholic beverages while they review studies by a USC professor.

Larry L. Berg, a consultant for the convenience store industry and director of the Institute of Politics and Government at USC, presented the City Council on Tuesday with results from various studies that he said proved “there is no hard data” to equate alcohol consumption and abuse with its availability at stores. “I have not found an area where there is less data and more emotion than this issue,” said Berg, who conducted his work under contract with the Food and Fuel Retailers for Economic Equality. That 14-member group has a lawsuit pending against the City of Costa Mesa for its law banning the sale of alcoholic beverages at gas stations’ mini-marts.

Anaheim Councilman E. Llewellyn Overholt Jr. proposed the idea two weeks ago, saying he was concerned that the sale of hamburgers-to-go at Arco AM--PM Mini Markets would induce drivers to eat, drink and drive.

‘Symbolic Scapegoat’

Al Johnson, an executive of Thrifty Oil Co., Tuesday asked the council not to “use our industry for a symbolic scapegoat” in the battle against drunk driving.

Another speaker, Alan Wagner of Anaheim, said he was a Yellow Cab Co. driver who finds the gas station markets convenient because he often has no time to stop at a restaurant.

No one spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance. Opponents said customers can buy alcoholic beverages at restaurants, liquor stores, supermarkets, Anaheim Stadium and elsewhere.

Overholt reminded the audience that his objection was with the joint sale of gas and liquor: “We don’t sell gas at Anaheim Stadium.”

Berg told the council that in a study of 296 drunk drivers attending offenders’ schools in Los Angeles, 6% bought their alcoholic beverages at a mini-mart. Of 530 people attending the schools in Ventura County, 3% said they bought their wine or beer at mini-marts.

The issue was continued to the June 3 council meeting. At that time, the council may review a revised version of the proposed law which would affect only “hot foods” and not food that is “in unsealed packages, prepared food or any food heated on the premises,” as the proposal currently reads.