Holland Chamber's Letter of Support

January 17, 2007

Holland City Council
c/o Mayor Al McGeehan
City of Holland
270 S. River Avenue
Holland, MI 49423

Dear Mayor McGeehan and Members of City Council:

The Holland Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors unanimously voted on January 15, 2007 to support the Citizens for Progress committee and their efforts to repeal the City of Holland prohibition on Sunday alcohol sales.

Currently, by a vote of City Council taken in the 1980’s, no Sunday alcohol sales are permitted in the City of Holland. Ottawa County laws allow the Sunday serving of spirits, but not beer and wine.

The City of Holland prohibition is just one piece of the Sunday prohibition puzzle. However, we feel the City policy must be repealed first and then efforts can focus on the Ottawa County Sunday prohibition of beer and wine.

This as an Economic Development issue. The current restriction puts city businesses at a competitive disadvantage. Your action to repeal the current prohibition will allow our member businesses to be competitive with their peers in neighboring municipalities.

Time is of the essence. It is our hope that the policy change can occur before the start of the summer and our prime tourist season.

Thank you for your consideration of steps to change the local council policy banning Sunday liquor sales and your support of our efforts to keep Holland a great place to live and visit.

Sincerely,

Jane Clark
President