BY SANDY THEIS
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COLUMBUS - Ohio's patchwork system of deciding where liquor can be sold would change under a bill that unanimously passed the Ohio Senate on Wednesday. Supporters said the measure is designed to give authorities more tools to shut down businesses that are causing problems.
It also is designed to address a situation that lawmakers say occurs too frequently: A law-abiding liquor permit holder is forced out of business because local residents - upset by a business with a history of problems - vote their precinct "dry."
Two years ago, some voters in Clermont County's Union Township virtually dried up their community. While their main target was the Rumors strip club, other businesses, including a Korean restaurant that relied heavily on alcohol sales, were forced to shut down.
"It's situations like this that caused us to act," said Sen. Doug White, R-Manchester, who ushered the bill through the Senate.
House Bill 402 would end the practice of allowing voters to vote an entire precinct dry. Entire political subdivisions, such as a city or township, still would be allowed to vote on whether liquor could be sold.
Offending establishments could be closed down on a case-by-case basis if liquor enforcement officials had them declared a public nuisance.
The bill modifies Ohio's definition of a nuisance to include liquor permit holders, and sets up specific rules that must be followed to close offending businesses.
Sponsored by Rep. Robert Schuler, R-Sycamore Township, the measure returns to the Ohio House, where approval of Senate-passed changes is expected. If the House approves the changes, the bill would go to Gov. George Voinovich for his signature.
The bill also would allow local governments to create special "entertainment districts" that could serve liquor.
Such a designation would have to come from a city council or other governing authorities, and would be subject to a vote of the people.
