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<br />Page 1 of2 <br /> <br />Potvin, Dave <br /> <br />From: kaspszak [kaspszak@visi.com] <br /> <br />Sent: Wednesday, December 13,2006 9:21 AM <br /> <br />Subject: StarTribune Article <br /> <br />In today's Metro North Section....... <br /> <br />lstarTribuneocom ~ MINNEAPOLIS -ST. PAUL. MINNESOTAI <br />NALCOHOL 121306 <br /> <br />Last update: December 12, 2006 - 4:22 PM <br /> <br />Wine in grocery stores worries city officials <br /> <br />Officials worry about the effects grocery store wine sales would have on city-owned liquor stores -- and, they saYI <br />on safety. <br /> <br />Sarah Moran, Star Tribune <br /> <br />A recent push to allow wine sales in grocery stores isn't winning friends among some people in cities that own <br />liquor stores. <br /> <br />City officials who oppose a change in the law say there would not be enough control over underage purchases <br />and shoplifting at grocery storesl that beer and liquor might eventually be allowed on grocery store shelves} and <br />that taxes will increase or city services will decrease to make up for cities' loss in revenue. <br /> <br />In the north-metro area, Anoka, Columbia Heights, Fridley and 81. Anthony make $175,000 to $5001000 a year in <br />profit at city-owned liquor stores. <br /> <br />That money goes back into cities to reduce property taxes, pay for park improvements or buy equipment for police <br />and fire departments. <br /> <br />81. Anthony planned a forum this week for city managers, mayors and liquor managers across the metro area to <br />build opposition to grocery stores selling wine. <br /> <br />The issue resurfaced this fall after a legislative audit this spring concluded that banning wine in grocery stores <br />creates a lack of competition that costs consumers millions of dollars a year. Grocers are pushing again to <br />change the state law. They say shoppers want convenience and that they can handle alcohol responsibly, just as <br />they have handled tobacco and food. <br /> <br />State law has said that in a given city, liquor stores can be either privately owned or city owned, but not both. <br />Grocery stores that sell alcohol can only sell it in a separate, walled-off space with its own entrance and cash <br />register. <br /> <br />Convenience, safety arguments <br /> <br />Customers at one of three Columbia Heights liquor stores had a range of views on the city running such <br />operations. Some had never thought about itl some thought it was good for the city to keep a watchful eye over <br />sales and put profits back into the city, and others simply wanted to be able to buy wine with their groceries. <br /> <br />Although Paula Bergl a resident of Columbia Heights, says wine should be allowed in grocery stores because it <br /> <br />12/14/2006 <br />