Jan 312012
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Councilmember Presley’s Interns for the fall semester 2011 are, left to right, Teller Cunningham Sophmore student at Cherry Creek High School, Jeiel Mensah Senior student at Littleton High School, Councilmember Presley and, Murti Nauth Senior student at Littleton High School.

  •  Posted by on January 31, 2012 at 6:19 pm
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Jan 092012
 

 The last council meeting was by far, the most entertaining as well as eye opening. For all of the city’s inhabitants, it should be a well known fact that the council is the local liquor licensing authority. The issue discussed that seized my attention was the ordeal of granting a liquor licence to a business owner new to Greenwood Village. I found the ostensible conundrum a non-issue simply because the new store owners had not violated any laws regarding liquor distribution in the past. However, local store owners did not find the new liquor licence as non threatening as I did.

Much to my surprise, local store owners had hired an attorney that tried to block the council from issuing a liquor licence to the Marmel Corporation for the new store Chartreuse liquor. I assume Marmel corporation hired their attorney in response to this attempt by local business owners to block their entry into Greenwood Village. Both sides were backed by a strong showing of supporters whom I assume were friends and family members.

I’m sure that local business owners had concerns about the competition that the new store would bring and potential for lost customers. Of course, multiple stores  of the same kind opening within a one mile radius has to be difficult for business, but then again, such direct competition is representative of capital markets.  It was evident in their attorney’s discourse on the subject. He went on about “demand” for a new store and how it wouldn’t add to current customers’ “convenience.” The attorney responsible for legal representation of the Marmel corporation shrewdly and calmly pointed out the facts that business owners were well within their rights to open new businesses. Besides that, Chartreuse liquor claimed to service a niche market through the sales of middle eastern liquors. The tone of discourse by the two attorneys was definitely contentious; almost to the point of immaturity. As such, this item on the agenda was extremely amusing entertaining to watch.

After a period of deliberation (no doubt to decipher the legal jargon recently orated by the two opposing attorneys), the council arrived at a decision to grant the Marmel corporation a liquor licence. Of course, this wasn’t without a stern warning from the mayor about proper ethical practices for the new store. I fully agree with the council’s decision in this case because it wouldn’t have been fair to let the Marmel corporation to have to look for a new and possibly more expensive location to do business. While it may or may not hurt its surrounding’s businesses’ profits, it would be wrong and perhaps legally unjustifiable to deny a licence to Chartreuse Liquor. This decision by the city council should instill confidence in both inhabitants and denizens of Greenwood Village in its ability to make shrewd decisions regarding business and upkeep of the city.

  •  Posted by on January 9, 2012 at 10:13 am
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