Jonathan Williams was sworn in as the new chairman of the N.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission Thursday, along with new commissioner Zander Guy.

Williams, former deputy secretary of crime control and public safety, takes over a system that last year generated $250 million in tax revenue but is also handicapped by an inefficient, locally controlled network of stores.

"I plan to listen and to seek the points of view from across the state," Williams said in a prepared statement, "from those who are interested in ways this Commission and our state’s regulatory system might change and improve."

Guy is mayor of Surf City and joins Commissioner John Lyon Jr., of Raleigh, to complete the troika that oversees alcohol regulation in the state and operates the state warehouse from which all local ABC stores buy their liquor.

State Sen. David Weinstein wanted a job running the state liquor warehouse. Instead he'll be the front man for the Booze It & Lose It campaign.

Weinstein, a Lumberton Democrat in his seventh term, will become director of the Governor's Highway Safety Program on Oct. 5, Lynn Bonner reports Highway safety promotes rhyming twin campaigns that discourage drunken driving and encourage seat belt use — "Booze It & Lose It" and "Click It or Ticket."

Weinstein wanted to be chairman of the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission. The commission runs the warehouse from which all stores buy their liquor, gives final approval for opening a store and hears cases of ABC law violations.

Gov. Beverly Perdue appointed Jonathan Williams of Raleigh to ABC chairman last week.

Darrell Jernigan, who had run Highway Safety for six years will move to another job with the office, according to the agency.

Weinstein had not resigned from the Senate by mid-afternoon Wednesday. The agency said Weinstein will resign from the Senate, effective Oct. 1.

His salary has not yet been determined.

Update: Senate leader Marc Basnight released a statement about Weinstein's imminent departure from the legislature.

"David Weinstein has been a valued leader in the Senate and a wonderful friend. A finer person can’t be found. Just as he was, and will continue to be, dedicated to the interests of his home community, he will be dedicated to the interests of all North Carolina’s communities. He’s a very special person and although we will miss him in the Senate, we wish him the very best in this new role of public service."

Jonathan Williams, the No. 2 official at the Department of Crime Control & Public Safety, will take over as the new chair of the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission.

Gov. Beverly Perdue is expected to name Williams today, along with Surf City Mayor A.D. "Zander" Guy to fill the vacant commissioner's seat on the three-member panel. They will join current commissioner John Lyon Jr., of Raleigh.

Williams (above) is a 10-year veteran of crime control, where he started as deputy general counsel and rose to his current post as deputy secretary. He received his bechelor's and law degrees from UNC Chapel Hill. He also serves as executive director of the Governor's Crime Commission.

Guy (below), who owns a real estate firm, serves on the state banking commission. In 1990 he served three months in prison for obtaining property by false pretenses. The conviction came after authorities accused Guy, then an insurance agent, of collecting money from clients by falsely claiming premiums were due.

UPDATE: Williams is no longer director of the crime commission. Guy was pardoned by Gov. Jim Martin, a Republican, who also commuted Guy's sentence from three years to three months.

Reuben Young, the new secretary for the N.C. Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, has decided to leave in place much of the agency's leadership.

Chief Deputy Gerald Rudisill, Deputy Secretary Jonathan Williams and Assistant Secretary Rhonda Raney will remain in their current positions, Dan Kane reports.

One change: Ernie Seneca is replacing Julia Jarema as the public affairs director. Seneca held a similar role with the Department of Transportation. Jarema is now the public information officer for N.C. Emergency Management.

Young was Mike Easley's deputy legal counsel and chief legal counsel during his two terms as governor.