Letter writer Jeffrie Zellmer makes the dubious claim that Baltimore's beverage tax is contributing to the problem of "food deserts" in the city ("Mayor's own policies worsen food deserts," June 17). The holes in his argument are not hard to see.
First, these food deserts predate the introduction of the tax by many years, perhaps decades. Second, although Baltimore residents living near the county borders might choose to save a few cents on their soda pop by shopping outside the city lines, those who live in the blighted east side and west side neighborhoods are extremely unlikely to spend money on taxis, buses or gas to do so.
Third, if Mr. Zellmer is truly concerned about inner city residents' access to healthy food, it should be pointed out that the tax does not apply to items like milk and fruit juice but rather sugary sodas, bottled water and alcohol.
Common sense would indicate that grocery stores are more likely to locate where their potential customers have more dollars to spend. Incentives should be offered to encourage grocers to set up shop in the poorer neighborhoods where corner stores are usually the only option. Repealing the beverage tax is not a solution but a red herring.
Jonathan Jensen, Baltimore