Sunday sales are dangerous idea

An open letter to the Bonner County commissioners:

I read in the June 26, 2004 Spokesman Review that based on a law passed by the Idaho Legislature, you are considering allowing the sale of liquor on Sundays in Bonner County.

Commissioner Brian Orr is quoted in the article as saying, "I have not heard from a soul that's opposed." I can tell you why you haven't heard from anyone. It's because no one knows you are considering it. You go on to say, "A lot of people don't realize the effect that alcohol sales have on local government." Wrong again. People do realize the effect. Alcohol is very often a factor in traffic fatalities and domestic violence. The use and abuse of alcohol costs the taxpayers. Additional law enforcement people are needed. Women and children in particular are negatively affected which results in medical and mental health problems. Many of society's problems are directly related to the consumption of alcohol.

Please, commissioners. You already allow the sale of alcohol by the drink on Sundays. Don't make it easier to make alcohol a driver's companion on the seventh day of the week. Mr. Orr suggests that "It's just going to be a convenience." Personally, that's a "convenience" I don't want to meet traveling on Highway 95.

HELEN METHOD-NEWTON

Sandpoint