An article entitled “GOP unhappy about liquor business sale” was extremely amusing (Jan. 22).

I worked for the Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages for nearly 16 years, ending as the manager of the Windham State Liquor Store before losing my job to closures. Employees endured year after year of insecure employment as then-Gov. King’s administration worked to convince everyone that privatizing would save money.

I testified numerous times before the Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee and the Appropriations Committee, explaining the loss of revenue to the state, but no one listened.

The politicians had the information, and made their decision, and I find it amusing that they now feign ignorance. What your article didn’t investigate was the other Maine companies vying for the liquor business. One of the other competing bidders was represented by both the former director of Alcoholic Beverages and the former director of Liquor Licensing. Both staunchly recommended how the state would save money to many legislative hearings. They apparently hoped to capitalize on the privatization as well.

Now that Maine is in dire budget straits that guaranteed revenue each year sure would be nice. Unfortunately, Legislature went for the fast buck, and now we will all pay. Thanks Maine Legislature, once again.

Jack Wiseman, Mechanic Falls