Putting a Cork on Access to Alcohol
The 1992 Los Angeles riots would probably never have occurred if Rodney King hadn’t been driving under the influence of alcohol that night back in 1991. His irresponsible and selfish actions set off a chain of events which have harmed many other people.
Cities and citizens must now ask themselves if the easy availability of alcoholic beverages is worth the horrible human costs.
I conclude it isn’t and therefore believe the Alhambra City Council should work toward an alcohol-free (sober) Alhambra. They can set a good example by not allowing any alcoholic beverages to be sold at city-sponsored events and at city employee social celebrations.
If legally possible, slap a “sin” tax on alcoholic beverages and places (markets, bars and restaurants) that sell them, to help pay for those sobriety checkpoint operations. They should not approve any more licenses to sell alcoholic beverages.
Recently, I protested the application for a license to sell beer and wine at a restaurant at 645 E. Main St. The Alcoholic Beverage Control District office investigator told me that although I could present no legally acceptable grounds of objection to cause them to reject the license, they slapped on some restrictions (such as limiting sales from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.) in response to my protest.
My protest was the only objection they received, even though the restaurant is next to a child-care center.
ERIC EHRMAN
Alhambra
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