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Library : Newspaper Articles Plainview Liquor Store to Provide Two New Police Cars Plainview News : November 21, 2002 Profits from the Plainview Municipal Liquor Store will be used to fund the purchase of two new replacement police vehicles. The two new Dodge Intrepids will replace the Ford Crown Victorias currently being used. The Intrepids are scheduled to be delivered in late December or early January, 2003. Police Chief Randy Doughty stated, "I know that besides the two new Intrepids, the Liquor Store has financed other projects for the City. For example, we received new defibrillators paid for by funding from the Liquor Store. The Liquor Store has also financed playground equipment for the Edgewood Park, rain gutters for the Ambulance Building and $60,000 for the bike trail. When it comes down to it, every dollar of profit that Donny hall and his crew make is one less dollar that the City needs to tax for." Kathy Roussoupolus, City Librarian, added, "Because of reduced funding from the County, the Library had to cut Saturday hours. However the City was able to transfer some funds from the Liquor Store fund to help with the budget crunch and restore the Saturday hours. I can't tell you the number of people who thanked me for reopening the Library on Saturdays. I tell them to go over and thank the crew at the Liquor Store." Since Donald Hall became the Liquor Store Manager in February of 1997, sales and profit have gone up significantly. Sales have increase from $424,000 in 1997 to $616,000 in 2001, which is a 45% increase. Profit has grown from $8,000 in 1997 to $50,000 in 2001, over a 500% jump. Over the past five years, the Liquor Store has pulled close to a quarter of a million dollars in profits. According to City Administrator, Steven Robertson, "What some people do not realize is that the Liquor Store is self supporting. It finances its own labor, supplies, insurance and utilities. Not one red cent of taxpayer money goes into the Liquor Store. In some ways, it is like the Liquor Store is a private enterprise that donates $50,000 to the City every year." City Councilmember Lee Peterson stated, "I know Donald Hall puts a lot of time and effort to keep things rolling. I trust how Don manages our liquor store and feel he is doing a great job at keeping up to date on what the customers want or expect. He has real customer service skills as well as managerial skills. When Don is concerned with the economy or anything that is affecting business, he calls other liquor stores in Southeast Minnesota to see how they are doing or to ask them if they are feeling the same affects." Mayor Steve Erwin added, "I think Don is doing a terrific job. I'm very pleased with his performance." "The wear and tear put on an average police cruiser is punishing," said Police Chief Doughty. "Most law-enforcement departments change vehicles ever three years. The Liquor Store makes it possible for Plainview to also be on a three-year rotation. It ensures our vehicles are in tip-top shape so our peace officers are able to quickly respond when they are needed." << back to newspaper index |