This editorial gives the spirit of the kind of change we can make:
Subject: WISC-TV EDITORIAL
A CHANGE IN APPROACH
08/04/10
The Madison City Council on Tuesday approved three new liquor licenses
to allow Walgreens Drug Stores to sell beer and wine. There were
thoughtful supporters on both sides of the issue, and significantly more
opponents than traditionally show up for liquor license hearings. We
believe that reflects a change in how people are viewing the role of
alcohol in our city and the lives of the people who live here. More
important perhaps is the change in tone of the discussion. Civic leader
and social justice advocate Carol Lobes noted a more respectful
appreciation on both sides for the problems caused by the abuse of
alcohol and thought it signaled a willingness to slow down our societal
encouragement of the alcohol culture. If she's right it's in part
because she and others have been working hard at it. And regardless of
the council's action Tuesday, we hope she is right.
Currently the Madison Downtown Density Plan expires on October 5th. There will be an effort to extend the date, but we want to be ready.
The stance of the Business Improvement District is that it should be allowed to expire.
That is why we are scheduling a series of Advocacy Skills programs in September. We will focus on continuing and strengthening the
Density plan, but the topics we will cover will apply to all our policy change activities. You can reserve a space (important because we are
furnishing light meals) by calling or emailing Carol Lobes 838-7491 or lobesmcclain@msn.com
You can bring a friend! Contact us as soon as possible. These sessions are Free and open to those who care about reducing alcohol
abuse.
Here are the dates, places times:
East:
Wednesday, September 8 from 6-8 PM at the East District Police Station community room, 809 S. Thompson Drive (off Cottage Grove Rd)
Central:
Wednesday, September 15 from noon-2PM at the City County Building, Room 421 (County Executive Suite)
West:
Wednesday, September 22 from 6-8PM at the West District community room 1710 McKenna Blvd (accessible from Gammon Rd.)
At the last Madison Alcohol License Review Committee meeting, one of the members acknowledged that we had sent the Committee a
"thoughtful" letter and said that our Coalition was valuable to the community. This is important credibility as our work advances.
Please join us for these important skill-building sessions. It is clear that our work on policy change is critical.
Thank you for all the letters and calls you did on the Walgreens issue!
Carol Lobes and Judy Adrian
Subject: WISC-TV EDITORIAL
A CHANGE IN APPROACH
08/04/10
The Madison City Council on Tuesday approved three new liquor licenses
to allow Walgreens Drug Stores to sell beer and wine. There were
thoughtful supporters on both sides of the issue, and significantly more
opponents than traditionally show up for liquor license hearings. We
believe that reflects a change in how people are viewing the role of
alcohol in our city and the lives of the people who live here. More
important perhaps is the change in tone of the discussion. Civic leader
and social justice advocate Carol Lobes noted a more respectful
appreciation on both sides for the problems caused by the abuse of
alcohol and thought it signaled a willingness to slow down our societal
encouragement of the alcohol culture. If she's right it's in part
because she and others have been working hard at it. And regardless of
the council's action Tuesday, we hope she is right.
Currently the Madison Downtown Density Plan expires on October 5th. There will be an effort to extend the date, but we want to be ready.
The stance of the Business Improvement District is that it should be allowed to expire.
That is why we are scheduling a series of Advocacy Skills programs in September. We will focus on continuing and strengthening the
Density plan, but the topics we will cover will apply to all our policy change activities. You can reserve a space (important because we are
furnishing light meals) by calling or emailing Carol Lobes 838-7491 or lobesmcclain@msn.com
You can bring a friend! Contact us as soon as possible. These sessions are Free and open to those who care about reducing alcohol
abuse.
Here are the dates, places times:
East:
Wednesday, September 8 from 6-8 PM at the East District Police Station community room, 809 S. Thompson Drive (off Cottage Grove Rd)
Central:
Wednesday, September 15 from noon-2PM at the City County Building, Room 421 (County Executive Suite)
West:
Wednesday, September 22 from 6-8PM at the West District community room 1710 McKenna Blvd (accessible from Gammon Rd.)
At the last Madison Alcohol License Review Committee meeting, one of the members acknowledged that we had sent the Committee a
"thoughtful" letter and said that our Coalition was valuable to the community. This is important credibility as our work advances.
Please join us for these important skill-building sessions. It is clear that our work on policy change is critical.
Thank you for all the letters and calls you did on the Walgreens issue!
Carol Lobes and Judy Adrian
FOR YOUR ACTION
SECTION
SECTION
RE WALGREENS APPLICATION FOR LIQUOR LICENSES IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS APPROVED