Alcohol Distribution Center

At the monthly Assembly meeting on January 29, I introduced a resolution supporting the efforts of the City of Kotzebue to establish an alcohol receiving and distribution center. I took this action in an effort to provide a regional consensus for this support. The resolution failed by a margin of 5-4. According to our borough code, approval would have required at least six positive votes.

I had thought long and hard on this issue and brought it up for consideration with full knowledge that it may be controversial. First of all, I share the common philosophy that our individual rights should be protected. I also share the philosophy that community rights must also be protected and promoted, especially if a particular activity harms our communities. I have been intrigued by the City of Barrow's action to implement an alcohol receiving and distribution center. I've read all the arguments for and against it and respect both. I do like the results! Barrow's crime rate, according to local officials, dropped 10% right off the bat. For this first time, this mechanism provided that community with a means of controlling who purchases alcohol, how much is purchased and how alcohol is disbursed within the community.

Since becoming mayor, I have continually been asked how we can control the flow of alcohol between our communities. With Kotzebue now legally "damp" and all the neighboring villages legally "dry", problems have been created for the villages because alcohol can easily be received and transported from Kotzebue.

The people and leaders of Noorvik have been asking for help. Once I discovered that the recent death of a 14 year old in Kiana was a direct result of his obtaining alcohol in Noorvik, I decided that it was absolutely necessary to take some action.

I contacted the troopers and requested assistance on their behalf. In the winter months, as you can imagine, snow machine travel makes enforcement very difficult. The state troopers generally respond only after a serious crime has been committed and the VPSO program has its shortcomings. Until the Task Force I formed to address this region's law enforcement issues comes up with concrete recommendations and they are implemented, we will have enforcement problems.

A Kotzebue distribution center would allow only Kotzebue residents to order and receive alcohol. There would be limits on how much alcohol an individual could receive each month and this action would not change the limits established by current State law. While I am aware that the law would still be subject to abuse and that some alcohol would still find its way to the villages, it would at least limit the amount of alcohol coming into the region and make the battle against bootleggers a little less difficult. With full respect to individual rights, I find this to be the least intrusive option to deal with the problem. It does provide some controls that are needed.

I hope that many of you in Kotzebue and around the region will support this effort by providing your testimony at public hearings at City Hall that will be scheduled this month. We have to become part of the solution rather than part of the problem. This has been my personal opinion and I thank you for considering it.