The new Chairman of the State Liquor Authority, Dennis Rosen, reports on the efforts to improve the agency’s operation in a recent interview published by Beverage Media. According to the interview, the new self-certification process along with other measures being implemented will allow the Authority to eliminate the backlog of license applications within the next year. The plan to accomplish this was developed by a new internal auditor the Authority has hired – a former systems analyst with the State Comptroller’s office. The Chairman also indicated that he’s refocusing the agency’s enforcement efforts on underage drinking and problem locations serving intoxicated persons and less on some of the violations that don’t impact public safety. According to Chairman Rosen the SLA has spent too much time counting fruit flies and looking at licenses in windows. The Authority has also hired a new manager for the New York City office. Michael Jones had been a prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney’s office and worked for the Attorney General’s office. The Chairman also states his desire to work collaboratively with the industry. That has certainly been our experience. We continue to enjoy a strong working relationship with the Members of the Authority and their leadership team and look forward to continuing that relationship into the future