MONTGOMERY COUNTY COUNCIL

ROC KVILLE, M AR YLAND

ROGER BER LINER

CHAIRM AN

C O U N C I LM E M B E R
D IS TR IC T 1

T RANS POR TAT ION, I NFR ASTR UC TURE

E N E R G Y & E N V IR O N M E N T C O M M I T T E E

July 19, 2016

County Executive Isiah Leggett
101 Monroe Street, 2nd Floor
Rockville, MD 20850
Dear County Executive Leggett,
On January 29, in a letter sent to four of our countys local Chambers of Commerce, you
committed to form an expedited task force on liquor control with a specific goal in mind. That goal
was to develop options for privatization and proposals for possible legislation prior to the 2017
general assembly session.
Your commitment to that goal was consistent with your prior statements that you have no
problem with privatization as long as we make sure the countys residents and taxpayers are
protected on the financial issue.
I applauded your decision to use this time to focus on finding the best path forward to achieve
privatization and taxpayer protection in the next session of the state legislature. I am writing to share
my concern that without your direct intervention, the stated goals of the task force may not be met.
Based on my reports from my staff, and confirmed by press and other attendees, the initial
meeting of the task force failed to focus on your key objectives. It instead devolved into a rehashing of
the Office of Legislative Oversight report and the current state of operations of Department of Liquor
Control. Time is of the essence, and as of now, there are only two additional meetings scheduled
before the General Assembly convenes. Accordingly, I urge you to reaffirm the task forces
fundamental charge to concentrate on privatization and revenue options, and ensure that future
meetings are structured in a manner that explores these alternatives.
Our residents overwhelmingly want us to move forward with privatization. I remain confident
that with your leadership we can achieve this important objective.
Best regards,

Roger Berliner
Councilmember, District 1
Montgomery County Council
STELLA B. WERNER OFFICE BUILDING
100 MARYLAND AVENUE, 6TH FLOOR, ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20850
240-777-7828 OR 240-777-7900, TTY 240-777-7914, FAX 240-777-7989
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