Posted 2/14/01 Municipal liquor store fails check By Danielle Strenke The Rush City Municipal Liquor store failed a recent alcohol compliance test, Chisago County deputy Jerry Janssen told the Rush City Council Feb. 12. Janssen and the Sheriffís Department conducted ìstingî operations throughout the county during the last few weeks, to find out how consistent employees were in asking for identification when selling alcohol. Specifically, a 20-year-old woman was sent in to various businesses that sell alcohol, in an attempt to purchase. She was able to purchase alcohol at the Rush City location without having to present identification. Janssen told the council that Rush City was not alone, however. ìThere were 17 businesses across the county that failed,î he said. The council asked what would be done to those businesses. ìWe are looking at establishing a fine system for failing,î he said. ìThe first two times, we would charge an ìeducation feeî to those businesses to educate employees on checking for identification and spotting fake i.d.ís. On the third offense, they will go to court.î Mayor Mike Skalsky asked whether there was a policy with employees who do not properly card minors. ìIt seems to me we had a two strikes and youíre out policy with employees,î he said. Administrator Daniel Hoffman told the Mayor and council that he had looked in the personnel ordinance, but did not see anything specifically pertaining to this issue. ìHow much business would we lose if we carded everybody?î Councilman Michael Louzek said. ìI donít think anyone would mind, especially on the off-sale,î Councilman David Bengtson said. Janssen said the liquor store passed a previous alcohol compliance test last August, on both on- and off-sale tests. This test was done strictly in the liquor store off-sale area. Filling an empty seat Five applications were received for the council seat vacated by Mike Robinson when he became county commissioner. Deadline for applying was last week, and the council hopes to fill the position by making a decision at its next regular meeting. Applicants include: Kevin Dahl, Kim Erdman, Jennifer Folkema, Jerry Janssen, and Dave Schroeder. ìI would instruct you to review these, and think about who you see as the number one candidate, and hopefully we can make a decision at the next meeting,î Mayor Skalsky said. Ambulance service update The city received correspondence from the Minnesota Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board, which is responsible for regulating licensed ambulance services. The letter reiterated that ambulance services, including Lakes Region EMS which services Rush City, will be facing serious financial shortfalls due to changes in Medicare funding for ambulance service. Hoffman told the council that he had spoken with Todd Fisk of Lakes Region EMS about the issue, and a local task force had been formed that is looking into the potential crisis. He said Fisk will be sending the city a copy of a contract it has with the city of North Branch, which would be something that would work for Rush City as well. ©Post Review