By Harold Egeln
Brooklyn Daily Eagle

BAY RIDGE/SHEEPSHEAD BAY – Two state lawmakers at opposite ends of the political spectrum united to bar a controversial proposal by Gov. David Paterson to permit the sale of wine in grocery stores, bodegas, delis, mini-marts and gas stations statewide.

The plan was floated a year ago and shot down after widespread opposition. This time it is called “a dangerous scheme, reckless idea, job killer and fiscal gimmick� by Democratic Assemblyman Steve Cymbrowitz of Sheepshead Bay, while Republican state Sen. Marty Golden of Bay Ridge also denounced the proposal.

“I guess the governor didn’t pay attention last year when liquor stores across the state from Brooklyn to Buffalo signed petitions, rallied and opposed this measure that would hurt business and would force many mom-and-pop liquor stores to close,� said Golden, a former Bay Ridge Fifth Avenue business leader.

“In these trying economic times, the last thing we should be doing is asking the small liquor stores to compete with large chain stores, supermarkets and others,� said Golden. “If this proposal is approved, it will only cause great suffering for these small stores that keep people employed, that participate and support community events, and that are truly a part of neighborhoods.�

Fearing the economic hardship and cost to people’s livelihoods, he warned, “If this happens, you will see people lose their jobs and liquor stores close, because they will simply not be able to compete. It will cost many their jobs and force stores to close.�

“This is a dangerous scheme to raise money at the expense of the well-being of New Yorkers,� said Assemblyman Cymbrowitz. “While the initial sale of new wine-merchant licenses will realize millions of dollars for the state, it is a one-time revenue raiser that puts the state’s residents at peril for decades to come.�

Fear Teen Drinking Rise, More Auto Deaths

Besides store closings and jobs lost, many fear the dangers of more drinking by teenagers and the resultant increase of injuries and deaths from drunken teen driving.

“At the same time, I guess the governor wants to increase the presence of underage drinking here in the state because the more accessible it is, the more likely that wine is going to end up in the hands of those too young to be drinking,� said Golden. “This will only aid the problem of underage drinking here in the state.�

Cymbrowitz backed up Golden’s concern. “By proposing a plan to legalize wine sales in 19,000 new outlets, Governor Paterson has once again made a terrible mistake that will only increase underage drinking, leading to more drunk driving with this misguided attempt to bring in more revenue.�

These `Nutcrackers’ Are Year-Round

Within the past few weeks, Cymbrowitz noted, it was learned that underage teens were able to buy illegal “nutcracker� liquor-spiked fruit punch beverages at bodegas. Now, he added, the state is preparing to open doors for teens to access wine on a wide scale. “New York already spends $3.2 billion every year on dealing with underage drinking. We should be looking for ways to reduce this serious problem, and not make it worse.�

Another problem, Cymbrowitz noted, is the scaled-back State Liquor Authority (SLA) staff due to already operating cost-cutting measures in the cash-strapped state. “Currently, the SLA has only 38 inspectors statewide regulating 70,000 license holders. To increase the inspection team’s workload by almost one-third is a recipe for disaster.�

The once dumped proposal raised to new life, he said, is “not the answer to the state’s fiscal problems.� If enforced, Cymbrowitz predicted that the state would lose 1,000 mom-and-pop stores, 4,500 jobs, and “this job killer� would take away Teamsters and other union drivers work.

Like last year, a coalition of forces is organizing once again, including the city and state Patrolmen’s Benevolent Associations and the NYS Troopers and Sheriffs Associations.

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