Steinbach liquor laws put to vote

The city of Steinbach is voting on whether to loosen its laws on liquor.

Advance polls are being held in a referendum to determine whether residents should havegreater access to booze.

Steinbach residents can now buy liquor at a storeaftercity council voted 4-2 in 2008 to allow a liquor store to open in the long-drycommunity.

They canalso have an alcoholic drink at a restaurant so long as they are havinga meal.

But Steinbach doesn't have any lounges or beverage rooms. However, Mayor Chris Goertzen says it's inevitable the law will continue to relax.

"Some of the old thinking has gone by the wayside and so the city is changing [and]the laws are changing sowly," he said.

The referendum was spurred by Boston Pizza, whichwantsto open in Steinbach but won't if it can't operate a lounge.

David Reimer, the pastor at Shalom family Worship Centre in the city, is against any access to booze.

"As soon as you open the door even a crack then it becomes, in my mind, a downward spiral," he said.

The city of 13,000 is located about 50 kilometres southeast of Winnipeg.