Court Opinion

ID: 9677524
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 05:54:25.500582+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:18:58.554998
License: Public Domain

Wahls, J.
(dissenting). I respectfully dissent.
According to the 1979 AC, R 436.1963:
The commission shall waive the provisions of *31section 17a of the act where the applicant shows by competent, material and substantial evidence that a waiver of section 17a would not adversely affect the operation of the church or school. [Emphasis added.]
My review of the record shows that the commission’s decision was not supported by the evidence. The "problems” identified by the objecting church were either speculative or would not "adversely affect the operation of the church.” Although not relevant to the determination of petitioner’s application, I would note that the church’s objections were motivated by the church’s biblical opposition to the consumption of alcohol, and the opposition apparently extends to the public at large, not merely church members. While the convictions of the church’s members may be commendable, I do not believe that they should also operate to deny petitioner an opportunity to further his livelihood. I would reverse.