craigdailypress.com

As Craig's local liquor licensing authority, the Craig City Council should take its responsibility seriously and ensure that license holders have taken all steps to prevent repeated violations.

But that does not necessitate the addition of a new law to the books.

The Craig City Council is currently reviewing a new ordinance that admittedly restates the powers already given to them by state statute.

Council members have said their sole desire is to get license holders to council meetings when a violation is being discussed -- an oversight that the city takes responsibility for. In the past, license holders have been told they're not required to attend meetings at which their license is up for renewal and they've not been notified when a violation appears on their application.

The city has spent time during numerous meetings discussing the logistics of enacting an ordinance that not only gets the license holder to the meeting, but also outlines possible consequences for their liquor violation.

The city already has that power.

The ordinance doesn't define which violations, or how many violations, will result in what consequences, leaving penalties subject to the values and biases of the current city administration and elected officials.

Council members have said they're not looking to jeopardize anyone's livelihood, they're just taking their responsibility as the licensing authority seriously.

But, will future councils agree or will they use the power to put business owners at risk?

We believe that simple solutions are usually the best. If council members want to discuss violations with a business owner, simply make a policy that requires a license holder to appear before the council within 30 days of a violation.

Anything more, without specific penalties outlined for specific violations, only reiterates what is already in state law and leaves the issue open to attack, misconception and undefined follow through.

And it's not necessary.