As of several weeks ago, Chipotle, a Mexican chain restaurant known for its burritos, had been waiting for a state liquor license for months. It still is.
The process is supposed to take about two months, according to Sam Daniels, the chief inspector and interim administrative head of the Baltimore Board of Liquor License Commissioners.
Why the wait?
Thestate liquor inspectors are not known for their efficiency. Each inspector must average two inspections per day to make quota for the year. They earn salaries up to about $40,000.
Maybe if the commission fell under the city?s jurisdiction rather than the state?s, such laziness wouldn?t stand.
Baltimore?s CitiStat program requires department heads to review personnel attendance and performance against goals in regular meetings. The scrutiny has improved city services ? shortening the time it takes to fill potholes and board up abandoned homes ? and cut absenteeism and overtime hours.
We don?t know why the Liquor Board can?t start its own version of CitiStat accounting, other than that it might make too much sense and be way too hard.
We?d like to know what they do over there for their money. We?d also like to be able to drink a beer with our burritos. Wouldn?t you?
