When it comes to the pizza delivery patterns of a privatebusiness, the Brookhaven Board of Aldermen is overstepping thebounds of its jurisdiction.

The issue surfaced last week when an alderman raised concernsabout one local pizza restaurant not delivering to certain parts ofthe city after dark.

The city attorney was dispatched to talk about the situationwith the restaurant’s manager, a move which could be seen as asubtle form of intimidation. Nevertheless, the manager told theattorney the restaurant’s delivery patterns were a “corporatedecision.”

We fully support government efforts to help attract business andindustry to our community.

However, once a business or industry opens, it should be free tooperate as its owners and managers see fit. There are legalrecourses if customers or public officials think the business isoperating outside the bounds of the law.

Private business decisions should be made in corporate officesor at the company’s local facilities. A public government boardroomis not the place to be interfering in private business matters.