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.
Teller Cunningham
I am extremely excited to be involved in municipal government. I am a Sophomore at Cherry Creek High School who is involved in Student Senate and the Cherry Creek Adventure Program, one of the few programs in the country that allows students to facilitate on an adventure course. I am pursuing many interests from government and history to math and science. I am undecided about what my future may hold but am a proved leader among my class and see myself in a leadership role throughout my life. I am involved in my church, Our Father Lutheran, and K-Life, a younglife style youth group. During my Junior year of high school I hope to become a page for the US Senate in Washington D.C., giving me further insight to the process behind our government.
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