At June 21 meeting
MTA board considers PR, issues, finance, more
MTA President Jupe Compton called the Montana Tavern Association board of directors together for its third quarterly meeting since Compton took the reins at the 2005 MTA convention.
Appropriately, he first asked that a moment of silence be observed in remembrance of recently departed MTA members Roger Frampton and Lynda Stefani. Stefani died in a motorcycle accident May 22 and Frampton died as a result of complications of surgery June 5 (see complete obituaries on pages 18 and 19 in this edition).
Following a roll call, Compton launched the proceedings by calling for a report from the Public Relations Committee (see detailed account in page 10 in this edition).
Chairman Sue Foster told the board her committee recommended increasing the MTA contribution to the Montana Council on Problem Gambling. MTA Government Affairs Counsel Mark Staples amplified the background and need and the board voted to follow the committee's direction.
Foster also told the board the PR committee would recommend MTA work with Energy Links and Northwestern Energy to identify energy conservation and expense reduction measures.
Further, she reminded the group materials packets for the Shrine fund-raiser had been sent to members and that the MTA Nominating Committee had selected three members for consideration for honorary lifetime memberships to be awarded at the convention. She also reported the Montana Tavern Times has offered to sponsor a worker of the year award. Her report was accepted by the board.
Compton then called for a Finance Committee report, and introduced Mary Jane Heisler as its new chairman, following years of exemplary service by Rose Bullock who has sold her establishment and retired.
Heisler delivered good news, noting income was actually outpacing budget projections and that trust fund investments were "doing okay with the value increasing."
She reported about $10,000 had been budgeted for improvements at the MTA headquarters building including some exterior improvements such as siding, fencing and a patio slab, and that new carpeting would be installed along with a security system.
Heisler also described recent challenges in hiring a fiscal auditor, sparking some discussion whether the group needed a formal audit or a simpler, less expensive "financial review." It was moved the finance committee seek a by-laws change that would allow for the less vigorous financial review.
Committee chairman Pat Kelly was called to the podium by president Compton to deliver the Legislative and Gambling report (see detailed account beginning on page one in this edition).
He suggested members make early contributions to the MTA Political Action Committee with the general election just a little over three months away, and noted several fund-raisers being undertaken to fund the PAC.
And, while on the subject, MTA Government Affairs Counsel Mark Staples suggested local tavern association chapters begin now to schedule candidate forums between Labor Day and the election Nov. 7. He asked board members to brief him on relationships they may have with candidates running in their districts.
Kelly touched upon his committee's decision to work with Gambling Control to resolve a few minor issues remaining before the live poker rules revision bill is written, particularly tournament payout formats.
Rules governing the development and implementation of the Department of Justice's automated gaming machine reporting system were discussed, with it reported that MTA representatives would attend the Gaming Advisory Council meeting in Fort Benton July 21 where finishing touches would be made to the rules draft.
Kelly said system development appears to be proceeding apace and that it now seems clear, more than 10 years after the concept was broached, that a workable, efficient solution is finally in the offing. Two MTA member businesses have been selected for beta tests, he said.
The national report was given by Bill Lincoln who is the MTA national delegate to the American Beverage Licensees, which represents the MTA and over 40 other state retail liquor associations. Lincoln told the group he'd just returned from an ABL board meeting in Washington, D.C., June 11-13.
He said important federal-level developments being watched were over zealous proposals to mandate ignition interlocks which prevent vehicles from being started by anyone who has had an adult beverage, and a proposal to "index" federal alcohol excise taxes which would have the effect of raising alcohol taxes 43 percent immediately and then annually.
Lincoln said ABL is lobbying vigorously for permanent repeal of the estate tax, and noted he had met personally with Sen. Max Baucus and Rep. Denny Rehburg on the matter while in the capitol. He said he had been unable to meet with Sen. Conrad Burns.
He also said the national organization is closely watching the immigration debate, and that ABL members are cognizant of the need for more available labor.
Next up was Bill Brown, who is chairing the 2006 MTA Convention Committee. Brown reported that the Sept. 11-14 Butte convention planning was on track, with the committee having met with Executive Director Diana Koon the previous week. He said first class golf and poker tournaments are planned (hole sponsorships needed) and that a number of parties, socials and luncheons were also planned.
He said Butte is a great town for some bar hopping and that free transportation to every venue will be made available.
Diana Koon then was called upon to give the executive director's report. She noted she is again searching for an executive assistant and also reminded the group to get in their nominations for the group's most prestigious honor, the Durkee Award.
She said convention information materials are being prepared and that the Tavern Times will be carrying regular news articles on convention developments. She urged everyone to take advantage of "early bird" convention registration rates available until Sept. 1.
Under old business, Mary Jane Heisler reported she has identified an entity in Great Falls that may have the wherewithal to conduct a sound survey on where youth are illegally accessing alcohol.
Staples added that two other national studies have been done that found teenagers most often get illegal alcohol from family and friends (65 percent) and that only 7 percent of the time do they obtain it from retailers.
However, Staples said retailers need to study where 19-20-year-olds get liquor, because that age group hasn't yet been specifically studied, and that is the age of the decoys police use to "sting" licensees.
Staples said he felt a reliable case could be made that continual police attempts to get retailers to sell to under-aged are misdirected at a small part of the problem, and resources could be better exerted to stem the main source of illegal youth alcohol–"bootleg" buyers of age and friends and family.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, July, 2006, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.