Letter: If it's not broke, don't fix it
Friday, November 4, 2011
Both sides of the Initiative 1183 argument have vilified small stores. As an owner of small stores for 20 years, I’m proud that I have never sold alcohol to a minor, and don’t appreciate being used as a tool in this fight. The existing system has been in place since before most of us were born. It brings in revenue for the state and controls the sale of alcohol in a way that makes sense. More access to hard liquor is not necessary. We will not make our communities stronger by changing this system.
When I started, there were many independent stores. Mostly due to corporate buying power, many of these independent stores have fallen to the wayside or have become marginalized. Every time a corporate store opens, the result is closures or damage to the small independent stores.
I would have a lot more respect for Costco and Safeway if they would be honest. Just come out and say, “We want to make a ton of money selling liquor.” Because that’s what this is all about. So when you vote, and I hope you do, remember a vote for this initiative is a vote for corporate greed and against independent grocery stores.
Jim Van Natta
Hockinson
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