News-Record.com

Worrying about the ABC store being a 1/4 mile from the school is the same kind of simple thinking that led to the Salem witch trials and attacking Iraq over WMD and their supporting AL Qaeda,. . . superstition, lies or a combination of both. Here's the challenge for anyone opposed to the ABC store. List at least 3 scenarios which might occur AND the rules, regulations, laws and personnel already in-place to take care of the problems of minors accessing alcohol. Make sure you include the school rules and personnel policies also. Multiple layers to handle the issue to be sure. Now, "norm"ally I wouldn't put this in here, but our conservative citizens would say that we already have enough laws, so why do need another for things like: equal pay for equal work? In this case, in some twist of logic, I'm sure they will all claim that the Government needs to step in on this one. It is as though our values as "patriotic" Americans are more offended over alcohol than equal treatment for all. Okay, bring on the hypocrisy. . .

(PS- Mr. Green, you handled this one right, you really do have other things to worry about. . . don't dumb down stuff too much for folks, even if it seems to work.)

There already is an ABC store in the Pisgah Church-Elm Street shopping area (2500 feet away?). My suspicion is ABC wants to move the store onto Pisgah Church proper. What's wrong with that? I have never noticed any problems in or around that store. The problem is that our local culture has such a distorted view of alcohol: either you're a sinning drunk or you're a angelic abstainer. But there is a middle way: integrating alcohol in a reasonable manner into adult life.

I would actually like a larger abc store, there are a few things that i can only find at the one downtown and i would like to have them closer to where i live. What I'm surprised about is the "Alternative high school" (which translates into possibly dangerous teens) being so close to where i live.

In response to the concern by i.s. The school has been there for years. Not to worry, it isn't like the school is a prison. When they aren't there, they're allowed to be out in public anyway. Regarding the students, my bet is that they need a combined academic/career education/mentoring/apprenticeship type program so they can have a vision of their own future that keeps them motivated. The kids are fine, when someone really supports them in planning for a future. Maybe a few would be interested in a career in retail mgmnt, in which case all those new stores in that area should be partnering with the school/district and doing a co-op job program. WHOA! I just combined a bit of government support for individuals with individuals being in charge of their own success!! We might be on to something!

Is it possible the SCALES teachers requested this for their own before and after-school convieniece?

The 2007 NC Child Health Report Card states "While government can play an important supportive role, children's health behaviors and risk-taking (alchohol included) are largely determined by the actions of adults. Whether as role models (children see everything adults do) or as accomplices (a teen would not get access to alcohol without the involvement of an adult at some point), parents or other adults are often the key factors in determining children's health outcomes." It also states that teen use of alcohol and illicit substances continue at unacceptably high levels.

While I know the ABC board will make every effort to make sure alcohol does not get in the hands of a teen, there are adults out there that will buy it for them and give it to them and even drink it with them.

There was a huge article regarding lowering the drinking age to 18 in this past weeks Newsweek magazine. Binge drinking among children under 21 is higher than ever. If they can't do it legally in public, they are doing it illegally behind closed doors.

When the greatest investment that any parent will make is the education of their children, why would we want to put an ABC store near a school. Do you risk your other investments?

On the other hand, it takes a village to raise a child, if everyone did their job, this would not be an issue.

Time was, there was kind of an informal agreement in local government that the only things that would be approved to be adjacent to schools were homes, churches and other schools. For good or ill, times change.

Excellent point Ms. Johnson, but in the process you are accusing those responsible for keeping the students at SCALE from buying alcohol of NOT doing their jobs. Now, we can actually identify them. These aren't strangers, this isn't hypothetical. The staff of SCALE, the employees at the ABC store, perhaps the local constabulary and the parents. Now, if they dare to come out and say that they are incapable of doing their jobs and that keeping the ABC store at the other end of the block is better, I think then we should not allow the store any closer. However, the problem of young folks consuming alcohol has little to do with proximity. In the case of promoting abstinence for young people, I'd say that education might be a better plan than unrealistic expectations and prohibitions. Now, I'd like to apologize to everyone; the current National election; trivializing issues and emphasizing "values and character" over facts and reality, has led me to overreact on a simple local situation as this.

You have to be 21 years of age to purchase liqor, I don't see the issue. I don't think they would let kids wander in there.

joe
randleman, nc

Students in this school can be and most likely are convicted felons, gang bangers, arsonist, drug dealers, gun toting, teacher assaulting, 21 year old,
pride of Guilford County Schools.....

It is the ABC Board that should be concerned!!

I would not want to risk my store being robbed by placing it next to a Juvenile delinquent center that does not have bars and proper security..........

I would also not want this school in my neighborhood.....it is the worst of the worst...The few that are not allowed back on our campuses....