Michael Smerconish: END THE WAR OF THE WINE GUYS

5.15.08

By Michael Smerconish

Daily News Opinion Columnist

CHUCK Stone was legendary in these pages for, among other things, his role as the man to whom fugitives would turn when they were ready to submit to authorities.

My goals aren't so lofty. I'd be content to play peacemaker between a prodigal wine-lover and his former employer in an effort to expand the selection available to those of us who like to imbibe here in Pennsylvania. I think I'm well- suited to play King Solomon.

Jonathan Newman was a law-school classmate of mine at Penn. We met in the men's room on the first day of class (no foot-tapping involved), and we've been close friends for 20 years.

Joe Conti is an old family friend. His brother Michael was in sixth grade at Doyle Elementary when I was in second. I remember him looking out for me. Joe's father, Walt, was the proprietor of Conti's Cross Keys Inn, where my brother got one of his first jobs as a busboy.

Joe Conti was elected to the state House in a 1993 special election, and won another special election to the state Senate in 1997. He served as Republican caucus chairman before retiring in November 2006. Conti acquired a deep understanding of the workings of the food and beverage business in Pennsylvania from both his family and tenure as a legislator.

Newman is, of course, the ex-chairman of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. Conti is the board's current chief executive.

Relations between the two are bruised. And consumers are suffering. I think the relationship between Newman and the PLCB can and should be repaired.

Newman's seven-year tenure with the PLCB is probably most famous for his introduction of the Chairman's Selections in 2004. Newman would negotiate for Pennsylvania to purchase large quantities of premium wines at highly discounted rates.

The savings - and fine wines - were passed on to Pennsylvanians. Even out-of-state residents

caught on. No small accomplishment considering our state's 18 percent liquor tax.

The program was perfect for a guy like me, who enjoys wine but was accustomed to buying based on the attractiveness of the label. Which explains how I once ended up with a case of something called "Red Zeppelin." (I still have 11 bottles, which should tell you something.)

In January 2007, Newman left the PLCB when Gov. Rendell inserted Conti as the board's CEO - at more than twice what Newman was earning as chairman.

The new position was unnecessary, Newman said at the time, and was filled without a comprehensive search. Bad feelings have persisted ever since.

In Newman's absence, the Chairman's Selection program has suffered. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported last month that specialty-wine sales in Pennsylvania have gotten progressively worse since Thanksgiving - a drop-off to the tune of 30 percent since the first of the year.

Meanwhile, Wine Enthusiast magazine's 2003 Man of the Year has set up shop outside the Keystone State. Newman Wine & Spirits now does for wine retailers around the country what the Chairman's Selections have done in the past for Pennsylvania.

IT'S ONE OF the 90 retailers Newman now works with - Frank's Union Wine Mart in Wilmington, Del. - that caused Newman's former employer to contact him last month.

Frank's promotes its association with Newman by displaying his wine deals under the moniker "xChairman's Selections." Last month, the PLCB sent a letter to Newman asking him to stop using the Chairman's Selection trademark.

Newman has vowed not to do business with the Keystone State. He is again trading barbs with PLCB officials and spokesmen. The rift is personal, and it's not good for the state's finances. Nor its residents' palates.

Time to make amends. Conti and Newman should work together. Conti is a competent guy who doesn't get the credit he deserves for his administrative abilities. Still, he'd benefit from Newman's taste.

Newman should be retained by the PLCB to again make wine selections for those of us who'd come to rely on his expertise. Obviously, Newman would need to steer clear of any ethical issues that might arise from his new private ventures.

Gov. Rendell should put the players in a room and put the PLCB back on track. Many will think this a pipe dream. But like I said, I've known them both for years. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. *

Listen to Michael Smerconish weekdays 5-9 a.m. on the Big Talker, 1210/AM. Read him Sundays in the Inquirer. Contact him via the Web at www.mastalk.com.