[Vision2020] Re: Senator Noble

[rforce at moscow.com]

In communities that are too small for a State Liquor Store, the state
contracts with private vendors to operate a liquor store. Outside of the
added business coming into the store, the operator gets a cut of sales.

Liquor stores can't be licensed within 300 feet of a school, somewhat more
strict than the variances given for selling beer & wine (his store already
has a viariance to sell beer).  Sen. Noble's store in Melba is less than
300 feet from a school if mesaured by property lines.  It's a greater
distance if measured door-to-door, but liquor control uses the property
line method.

Sen. Noble allegedly introduced a bill to change the measurement to
door-to-door. However, when asked if he submitted the bill by his
colleagues, he initially denied introducing it, and later admitted it. He
also denied making an inquiry to liquor control, and then admitted that he
had discussed the situation with them. State law requires legislators to
reveal when a law could directly benefit them.

David Leroy is representing him, and has made the defense against conflict
of interest that state law prohibits active legislators from holding a
liquor license, so his store couldn't have been granted one even if the
rule was changed. As to the charge that eligibility for a liquor license
would add to the potential value of the store (the store is up for sale),
that would be "pure speculation".

The Senator has additional problems in that the State has filed a lien
against the store for failure to remit sales and use taxes (over $10,000),
and unemployment insurance payments for employees.

Story on the hearing:
http://www.idahostatesman.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050223/NEWS06/502230341/1056

He was most upset about Dan Popkey, who broke the story in his column
http://www.idahostatesman.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050218/NEWS010702/502180345/1024/NEWS01

Popkey also alleges that in 2003 Noble wanted to change the law to allow 18
year olds to sell beer & wine (his minor children work in his store)
http://www.idahostatesman.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050224/NEWS010702/502240345/1002/NEWS01

Ron Force


Garrett wrote:
I'm curious about the problem with selling alcohol within 300 feet of a
school.

State Alcohol laws prohibit that, except with an exemption, which has
happened.  Moscow has several (Food Coop and Third Street Market. Patty's
buritos just received one)

What specifically is the problem Senator Jack Noble was trying to solve with
his bill?

Why is he being investigated by the ethics committee since anybody could
apply for an exemption?

I doubt he is the first senator to have a conflict of interest with his
business affiliation.  At least its not a huge money maker like natural
resources.

This seems odd.

Garrett
Clevenger

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