As a democratic city, we allow citizens to voice their opinions. Last week, two public hearings took place. The first was a request for a liquor license in the area west of I-25 on Arapahoe road. Proponents for the case argued that their was a desire for a business engaged in selling spirits at the proposed location and that the site would specialize in Middle Eastern spirits which other area liquor store lacked. Against the case were other liquor store owners located within a mile radius of the proposed location. They argued that there was no demand for another store and that their was an “undue concentration of  liquor establishments in the area.”

The lawyer representing the argument against the business, pointed out holes in the case of the proponents. The chambers felt like a court room as the lawyers cross-examined the witnesses. It was brought to the attention of the Council that one of the witnesses lived outside of the one-mile radius which witnesses had to live within.

This is perhaps the most interesting issue that I have witnessed as an intern. When deciding how I would vote, I had to separate my sympathy for the other business owners from that of the principles of government unjustly interfering with competition among retail establishments. To me, the key fact that was presented was the affidavit of the Police Department that stated that the establishment would not require additional patrols to maintain security. With this in mind, I agree with the unanimous council, and would have voted to pass the ordinance.

This evening’s meeting efficiently approved multiple budget and appropriation items. It also passed an amendment to the lease agreement with Verizon Wireless at the South Metro Fire Station at 5700 S. University Boulevard. The issue was interesting because the amendment made the leasable area smaller than before. It also allows Verizon Wireless to more equipment to the site. I found it interesting that Verizon offered adding a conduit that can eventually provide fiberoptic T1 lines to the station and allow for onsite, advanced training.  I agree with the council’s decision and would’ve voted likewise, though I would’ve researched the future cost of the internet service and possibly investigated microwave internet receivers that provide up to ten-times the speed of T1 lines at one-third of the cost.