BY JESSIE BURCHETTE
SALISBURY POST

In his final meeting on the Rowan ABC board Thursday, David Roueche succeeded in boosting the salary of three top employees.

The board unanimously supported a Roueche motion to give pay increases to Manager Linda Lowman, as well as enforcement officers Ray Shuler and Bob Boswell Jr.

Roueche said the pay hikes have been under consideration for several months and will bring the salary to the average level of pay statewide for similar size ABC operations.

Chief Enforcement Officer Shuler will get the biggest increase.

Shuler was hired just over a year ago to head up the agency’s enforcement and education program. He will receive a $6,500 increase from $42,000 to $48,500.

Shuler drew high praise from Roueche, Chairman Faye Porter and board member Hank Palmer for his efforts to reduce the sales of alcoholic to minors.

Lowman’s annual salary will increase from $52,000 to $55,000.

Boswell’s pay will increase from $34,595 to $36,500 a year.

The action came after a short closed session for personnel.

Roueche was attending his final meeting. Earlier this month, commissioner opted not to reappoint him.

During the Thursday evening meeting, Shuler gave the board an update on enforcement and education activities.

He cited the major improvement in stopping alcohol sales to minors. A year ago, teens working undercover were able to buy beer or wine at 67 percent of the stores targeted. In a similar operation this week, the “hit rate” was 23 percent.

“That’s a significant decrease,” said Shuler, adding that the target is a “zero hit rate.”

Shuler outlined plans for increased efforts to work with businesses to train employees in getting ID’s and ABC laws.

Many of the training sessions will be at the business locations.

Shuler said several sessions are planned at central locations over the next few months to train store clerks. Training must be continuous because employee turnover is so high at the stores.

Sessions will be advertised and store owners will be notified. Shuler said sessions will likely be held at the Landis Fire and Police Department and county Health Department. The current ABC headquarters doesn’t have an area for training sessions.

Shuler and board members discussed a possible new requirement for ABC stores. Lowman said it would be beneficial to ask for identification from all customers at all county ABC stores.

Board members briefly discussed the possibility of upset customers, particularly from people who are obviously beyond the legal age.

County Commission Chairman Newton Cohen observed that he would consider it a compliment if he were carded. Cohen is 73 years old.

Roueche balked at the idea of a scanning device that would read and possibly store information from driver’s licenses.

Shuler said that device isn’t legal in North Carolina.

The board opted to get additional information before making a decision.

In other matters, the board:

• Decided to retain $50,000 of the $89,000 profit for the quarter. The money will be used for shelves and other furnishing for the new Kannapolis store.
• Authorized Lowman and Shuler to sell or trade old vehicles for new vehicles, whichever gets the best deal.