November 5, 1998

The Honorable George Pataki
Governor
The State of New York
Executive Chamber
Albany, NY 12224

Dear Governor Pataki,

We congratulate you upon your re-election to the governorship of New York State.

Our organization is a non-partisan grass roots community group with a combative membership, very active on local issues. While we do not endorse candidates in electoral politics, we make public officials aware of issues that are important to our community and we keep our community informed on which officials are responsive to our efforts.

Recently, we contacted you, as well as other elected officials at the State and City levels, in our ongoing efforts to impact the surfeit of liquor licenses showered upon our community during the last three years. We would like to inform you that in our recent dealings with the State Liquor Authority, we have remarked a welcome change of attitude. In recent hearings, the SLA seemed sensitive to community concerns and a number of applications opposed by various communities have been rejected on grounds provided under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law. We would like to tell you that our and other communities around New York City are taking notice.

We would also like to exhort you to keep this in mind when you will decide upon the appointment of the third commissioner to the SLA. Our community and others around New York State, will be paying close attention to developments in the regulation of alcoholic beverages serving establishments, whose proliferation and general operations impact on the quality of life and indeed the social fabric of our communities.

Best regards

s/

Sante Scardillo
For L.I.N.A.