New Hampshire News
In our previous issue of StateWays, we published our annual Control States Executive Forum, where the leaders of all the control jurisdictions got a chance to update readers on what’s happening in their states. Unfortunately, the entry from Anthony Maiola, chairman of the New Hampshire Liquor Commission, was not included. Here it is.
The New Hampshire Liquor Commission (NHLC) completed the 2005 Fiscal Year with a better than 6% sales increase. With a strong focus on customer service and upscaling store presentations, customers reacted favorably. Recently, a new location opened adjacent to Lake Winnipesaukee, and another relocated to a state-owned facility near a new major shopping complex in Keene. Both stores are posting record sales.
Anthony Maiola, chairman,
New Hampshire Liquor Commission
To raise the awareness of the legal consequences that face adults who purchase alcohol for minors, the NHLC launched a campaign centered around the theme, “Buyers Beware: Providing Alcohol to Minors is a Criminal Offense.” To maximize the campaign’s effectiveness, the NHLC is joining forces with several strategic partners to support the campaign. They are: Governor John Lynch, Dr. Susan Lynch, the N.H. Dept. of Justice, the Governor’s Highway Safety Commission, the N.H. Dept. of Transportation, the N.H. Dept. of Health and Human Services, N.H. Community College & University, N.H. Retail Grocers Association, New Futures And Viacom. The involvement of the partners is vital because they can help provide additional staffing and funding resources to increase the reach, visibility and validity of the campaign.
Two new relevant laws have taken effect in New Hampshire. The first involves enforcement policy and enables the Liquor Commission to suspend the sale of alcohol in a community when such circumstances exist to present a risk to the public health, safety and welfare of a community.
The second establishes a criminal offense for facilitating a drug or alcohol house party by the owner or person in control of an occupied structure or dwelling.
Finally, the NHLC offers three types of educational courses for alcohol/tobacco licensees.
G.E.T.S. (Grocer Educational Training Seminar): a five-hour program designed for off-sale licensees and their employees.
T.E.A.M. (Total Education in Alcohol Management): A seven-hour program designed for on-sale licensees and their employees.
M.T.S. (Management Training Seminar): a five-hour mandatory program designed to assist owners and managers with information on how to create and maintain alcohol policies at their businesses.
NABCA Donates $50K to MS
Hurricane Relief Fund
ALEXANDRIA, VA — The National Alcohol Beverage Control Association’s (NABCA) board of directors, under the guidance of Chairman George F. Griffin, director of the Montgomery County, MD, Department of Liquor Control, has recently approved the contribution of $50,000 to the Mississippi Hurricane Relief Fund. In addition, control jurisdictions in the U.S. and Canada have also participated in various initiatives to raise money for the hurricane victims.
“Many individuals lost absolutely everything they had, and they will need help for months and years to come. As we watch the coverage of the impact of Hurricane Katrina, we feel a connection to reach out to our fellow citizens in need,” stated Griffin. “Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the families who are trying to rebuild their lives.”
Jim Sgueo, NABCA president and ceo, said, “Mississippi was severely impacted by the destruction of Hurricane Katrina. There is an extremely close connection among the alcohol control state systems, and the NABCA board of directors felt that the Association should contribute to this nationwide effort to help those in need.”
Individual control systems’ employees have provided assistance with cash donations, and through fundraising activities such as auctions, bake and sandwich sales and “pay to dress casually” days. Others have donated needed supplies such as toothpaste, soap and clothing.
Absolut Buys Rest of Cruzan
NEW YORK CITY, NY — The Absolut Spirits Co., a unit of Stockholm-based V&S Vin & Sprit AB, has purchased the portion of rum maker Cruzan International it didn’t already own for $28.37 a share, or $69.6 million. The agreement came after Absolut acquired a 64% stake in Cruzan for $121.8 million from a third party. Buying Cruzan gives The Absolut Spirits Co. a growing line of rum from the U.S. Virgin Islands, in addition to its Absolut and Level vodkas and Plymouth gin.
Business Briefs
The Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has named Frank Monahan as the new director of its Bureau of Law Enforcement. At the Richmond Police Department, where he retired as a police major, Monahan’s responsibilities included oversight of the department’s Investigative Services (homicide, narcotics and vice services units) as well as Special Operations (specialized units and emergency services)…The board of directors of Bacardi Limited announced that Facundo L. Bacardi has been elected chairman of the board effective immediately, completing the company’s chairman succession plan. Bacardi, 38, has served as vice chairman of the board for three years and has been a director of Bacardi Limited since 1993. He is the great-great grandson of the company founder, Don Facundo Bacardi Mass
