Legislator Pushes To Restrict Liquor Near Churches
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Liquor Near Churches?
Do liquor stores and other places that hold liquor license need required separation from children?
Do liquor stores and other places that hold liquor license need required separation from children? A state senator thinks so—and is pushing for changes.
COLUMBUS, Ohio—Do liquor stores and other places that hold liquor license need required separation from children? A state senator thinks so—and is pushing for changes.
Laura Wynn and her friends only have to walk across the street from the Traveler’s Rest Missionary Baptist Church and School on Cleveland Avenue to grab a snack at Ray’s Supermarket, which sells everything from popsicles to alcohol.
“When we come to the store, we have older people who are on drugs and alcohol and they sometimes stop us and ask us for change and stuff,“ Wynn said.
That’s where State Sen. Nina Turner comes in. She said the prevalence of liquor is leading to crime, which hurting communities and children.
“We are looking at a social powder keg here if we don’t begin to control and have real discussions about the over saturation of liquor licenses,“ Turner said.
Turner’s push is to only grant liquor licenses to businesses at least 500 feet away from schools, churches, libraries, playgrounds and parks.
An employee at Ray’s Supermarket and the owner of Buckeye Fuel, which is across the street from Linden Elementary School, both said they oppose the idea.
Scott Heimlich owns the upscale German Village restaurant Barcelona, which sits less than 500 feet from Schiller Park. He said that if the bill were to pass as written, his restaurant would likely close.
“It would be devastating. This is my livelihood and I’ve got 60 employees. This is their livelihood,“ Heimlich said.
Turner acknowledged to NBC 4 that her bill needs to be reworded so it doesn’t put restaurants or chain grocery stores that sell alcohol out of business.
There is also a question of whether existing businesses would be grandfathered in. As of Tuesday, Turner said she hadn’t decided yet.
“I don’t pretend to have introduced a perfect bill, but it is calling attention to a very real and serious issue that many communities face in urban areas,“ Turner said.
“I understand who they are focusing this on, but we need to be very careful how legislation is written so that it doesn’t adversely affect those that are working within the rules and regulations and are contributing to the community,“ Heimlich said.
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Reader Reactions
What a load of crap. The idiot who dreamed up this legislation must retire immediately.
Obviously they are to incompetent to hold public office.
Maybe the senator should of thought this out a little more before going to the news. It just makes her look like someone who is trying to get some face time on tv. Maybe we shouldn’t allow children to go grocery shopping since they will see alcohol there as well. Sporting events are out too i guess!Let’s get real people.
Wow, this is going to devastate business around colleges and universities in Ohio (they are still schools aren’t they?)!
It’s called “FEEL GOOD LEGISLATION” it makes Turner feel good to do something that accomplishes NOTHING. Our only hope is she learns to stop wasting the legislatures time and we can all be thankful for TERM LIMITS.
It sure must be annoying to go to a crappy church in a bad part of town, but the answer is not to clean up the town around it. Besides, if the church is surrounded by drunks a few of them might stumble in and reduce the resounding echo caused by nonattendance.
“When we come to the store, we have older people who are on drugs and alcohol and they sometimes stop us and ask us for change and stuff,“ Wynn said.
Well of course the ONLY place this happens is in businesses near churches, so this bill would totally solve that problem. Good thinking!
I don’t understand what’s the problem. Are they afraid that kids will sneak out of Sunday school and chug a quick 40 at the carryout?
Churches don’t even pay taxes. Unrepentant is correct, churches are the businesses that should be restricted. That’s right, they’re businesses.
another fine example of change!!!!
I have an idea keep the churches away from the bars.tabbaco and alcohol pay for a big portion of the budget. They have already killed booze sales with the smoking ban.
OMG it’s the 1920’s all over again. Liberal progressives tightening the noose on our freedoms again. Study history Laura you might learn something.
Has anyone considered side effects? Can the existing business,if sold, transfer license to new owner if they approve grandfather clause? What if new church or park is built? Will existing businesses(taxpaying) have to shut down if no grandfather clause? Have existing businesses been in there prior to churches or parks? How much revenue would be lost in tax dollars if required to not sell beer/alcohol? Sounds like someone is counting chickens before the eggs are even laid! Think! Every bill should be thought out for ALL side effects PRIOR to it’s introduction or release of possible seating. Thank you.
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