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Local News from Guilford County, North Carolina  Click here to visit the High Point Democrats in Action website. ABC Stores? Early in 2003, the High Point City Council was invited by the State of North Carolina and its Board of Alcohol to discuss and respond to the question of continued state controlled whisky sales in this state or permitting the sale of spirited drinks to be publicly sold by private businesses. The invitation was not restricted to High Point but was a statewide survey that promised none compliance but rather information gathering. If my memory serves me correctly, there was a council attempt to simply read the state correspondence then hurriedly call for a motion. I do recall that my unready ness resulted in a delay until our next meeting because I requested additional time to study the state’s concerns before quickly recommending action. Former Council Member, Fred Swartzberg and then High Point ABC Board Member attended the council meeting and discussion and later invited me to visit the board’s office. Shortly thereafter, I visited the office on West Fairfield Road and was shown the visible operations and told that High Point was unique in the state because of its efficient and frugal operations. At the time, the High Point board had redesigned, built or remolded attractive “outlets” that were supposed to have “shopping center appeal” which were less “boxy” and more relaxing to women shoppers. I thought, Isn’t it amazing that High Point was one of the last major cities in North Carolina to vote in ABC stores and now proud purveyors of the most modern facilities. At the meeting which addressed that issue, I spoke in favor of private enterprise becoming the vendors of spirited beverages which is no different than wine and beer. The vote was called and overwhelmingly the High Point City Council voted to recommend business as usual. The then editorial page editor of The High Point Enterprise subsequently painted a glowing picture of the splendid job the High Point board was doing. Now he is associated with another publication and paints a much different picture. He writes, “High Point’s system was run like a renegade fraternity.” He further says, “…The Alcoholic Beverage Control mismanagement in High Point … has been more of an embarrassment than a scandal.” Now considering the imperfections of humans, that editor’s descriptions repeated here, are not intended to be declarations but simply reminders of corrupt public operations where the private sector would better serve our cities and state - neither am I saying, I told you so. The question is why should the state hold onto while disallowing private businesses to market whiskey sales like most other states? I suppose some might say to distribute unfairly the profits arbitrarily. Has this become another venue for corruption? Should the state go into the grocery business or maybe even compete with Wal-Mart for those huge profits? They would have more money to distribute and corrupt! Regardless of individual blame, the state’s insistence to remain in the retail whiskey business is the bedrock for eventual corruption. Inevitably something will present an attractive temptation and there will always be takers. To avoid future governmental scandals, personal embarrassment, suspicious clients and reluctant customers, the North Carolina Legislature might do well to reconsider. The free enterprise system has worked well thus far and needs no intrusion from elected and appointed novices. On November 7th, we have an election and the beginning disposal of government corruption can and should be corrected at the ballot box. Starting at the municipal level, change should be in order for a new beginning. With big industry sending jobs to other countries, we need no more governmental interruptions! Are there any voters listening?
AL CAMPBELL is a former High Point firefighter, newspaper owner and publisher and at-large City Council member. E-mail him at alacampbell@yahoo.com or visit www.al-campbell.com. High Point Democrats Serve Community
A large number of local residents accepted an invitation to enjoy Some of the diners were responding to postings and fliers that had Just as the picnic was open to all comers, member Bob Davidson When asked how the group organized so quickly, Kay Spangle says it
was mostly “word of mouth,” adding that they adopted the name
HIGH POINT, NC - Amid the traffic and congestion on N. Main Street, a small group gathered Wednesday evening to show their support for the 2,001 Americans who have lost their lives in the Iraq war. The High Point Democrats in Action held a candlelight vigil as part of the American Friends Service Committee's "Not one More Death, Not one More Dollar" campaign. The committee called for the vigils to be held the day after the U.S. death toll topped 2,000. More than 200 similar vigils were held Wednesday in 44 states. Similar ceremonies were held in Greensboro and Winston-Salem. Angel Schroeder read the names of the 42 North Carolinians killed in Iraq. "Sometimes it seems like it's a war so far away, and we don't think about it very much. We wanted to keep it at the forefront of people's minds," Schroeder said. She doesn't have any relatives or friends in Iraq but wanted to show her support for the troops, she said. "This is a way to pay tribute and say we know your sacrifice and to thank you for what you've done," Schroeder said. Robert Healy, an Army veteran, served from 1988 to 1992 and from 1994 to 1998. He said he believes the U.S. military has been abused by the Bush administration. "It is important to show the families who've lost their sons and daughters that we support them, we support our military and it's necessary to stand for peace because what is America if it doesn't stand for peace," Healy said |
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these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable
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