Williston Voters to Decide Liquor Issue Tuesday

Tomorrow is election day in Williston. But there are no candidates on the ballot - just a propos...  More »

Tomorrow is election day in Williston. But there are no candidates on the ballot - just a proposed new city ordinance regarding sales of liquor. Jim Olson tells us what the prime sponsor of the ordinance hopes a new law would do... (Bill Jorgensen, Liquor Store Owner) What is wrong with presenting an ID? (Jim Olson, KX News) Bill Jorgensen sees it as a simple issue (Bill Jorgensen, Liquor Store Owner) All people who walk into a liquor store or bar must present an ID. No big deal. (Jim Olson, KX News) Jorgensen is the owner of Roughrider Liquors on Williston's east side. And he's the author of the ordinance that Williston voters will decide on Tuesday. It says anyone entering a place that sells liquor must have a valid form of identification or face a ten dollar penatlty. (Bill Jorgensen, Liquor Store Owner) You have to have an ID to vote. You have to have an ID to get a cellphone. You have to have an ID to cash a check. (Jim Olson, KX News) How serious is Jorgensen about this issue? Since May, he's been enforcing it himself in his own store, require anyone to show an ID if requested. (Bill Jorgensen, Liquor Store Owner) We as adults, even though we have the right to come into a liquor store, we have the responsibility to send a message to kids and that's what this is all about. (Jim Olson, KX News) But the initiated ordinance doesn't have universal support. I contacted a few opponents who declined an on-camera interview. But a group called the Safe Communities Coalition has circulated an e-mail listing reasons for opposing the ordinance. Those objections include a contention that the law would shift responsibility for legal alcohol sales from the merchant to the patron. The e-mail also cites a recent alcohol sales compliance check where seven of 25 merchants sold to an undercover, underage customer. In six of those seven places, the minor's ID was checked and still the liquor was sold. Jorgensen says he's had two employees caught selling to minors in such compliance checks in the past several years, but he wants to see punishment for more than just the merchant (Bill Jorgensen, Liquor Store Owner) Rather than punishment, trying to attack merchants - make merchants look bad, I thought let's see if we can find a solution that would really solve a problem. (Jim Olson, KX News) And his solution, is to require everyone who enters a bar or liquor store to have a valid ID. (Bill Jorgensen, Liquor Store Owner) If it prevents one kid, one child from entering a liquor store, getting access to alcohol, and then going out and hurting themself or someone else, it's worth it. In Williston, Jim Olson, KX News. Polls are open from 9am to 7pm in Williston tomorrow. The liquor sales ordinance is the only item on the ballot.  « Less