I must disagree with some of the negative comments in the article about the excellent job the State Liquor Authority has done in reducing application backlogs ("Cuomo: Liquor license backlog smaller," April 29). They should be commended for doing more with fewer people.
The attorney certification program, instituted by Chairman Dennis Rosen, has not only been a huge help in reducing the backlog, but it has also resulted in more accurate applications being filed.
A liquor application is complicated, as it implicates many different laws, rules and policies that laypeople are not qualified to make judgements on. An argument can be made, especially in New York City, where there are additional difficult issues such as proximity to churches and schools and other licensed establishments, to require attorney certifications.
I cannot imagine, for example, a local building department allowing construction plans to be filed without a professional architect or engineer having prepared them.
Finally, while it is true that controversial applications do take too long, the SLA is working with the industry to address that problem.
Robert Bookman
counsel,
NYC Hospitality Alliance
New York City