Some have called the debate over Sunday alcohol sales one of the most divisive in Starkville’s recent history.

On one side sits a group of citizens who oppose Sunday sales because of safety, religious and moral concerns. On the other is a citizenry who believes Sunday sales would lead to an increase in business and tax revenue. They also view it as a matter of personal choice.

The two sides squared off formally Tuesday in Starkville City Hall during the first of two public hearings regarding possible amendments to the city’s alcohol ordinance. The amendments would allow the sale of alcohol on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and extend the time bars and other businesses could sell alcohol by two hours a night on weeknights, from 12 a.m. to 2 a.m., and one hour on Friday and Saturday nights, from 1 a.m. to 2 a.m. The amendments also would decrease from 250 feet to 100 feet the distance an alcohol-selling establishment can be located from a school or church, and they would allow exceptions to existing open container regulations to allow public drinking during special events.

The crowd spilled out of the courtroom and into the hallway at City Hall Tuesday night as citizens on both sides of the debate showed up in force.

The city’s Board of Aldermen allowed eight residents to speak for the amendments during the 30-minute hearing, eight to speak against them and one man to comment, Richard Mullenax of Ward 5, who said he is completely neutral.

Robbie Ward made the most impassioned argument for the sale of alcohol on Sundays, saying Starkville residents would exercise the same amount of caution on Sundays as they would the rest of the week. He also criticized arguments that Sunday sales would require the Starkville Police Department to increase patrols and arrest even more drunken drivers.

“We want the police to protect us Monday through Saturday; I don’t see where that changes on Sunday,” Ward said.

Ward called arguments against Sunday sales “self righteous” and feels residents and visitors to Starkville should have the right to buy a drink seven days a week.

“I say it’s about personal responsibility, freedom and quality of life,” Ward said.

Ward’s statements were contrary to those of Buck Swain, who at first told the board he is 91, then remembered he’s actually 92. Swain was opposed to Sunday sales and received a round of applause after his comments.

“All of you who have families to take care of, why would you want to pass a law that will not help your family?” he asked the board.

“Why do you need to give them another day to buy liquor?” he asked later. “Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest.”

Two of the city’s aldermen who have spoken out against the amendments did so again Tuesday at the end of the hearing.

“I’ll fight tooth and nail if you try to reduce it from 250 feet to 100 feet around churches and schools,” Ward 1 Alderman Ben Carver said.

Ward 7 Alderman Henry Vaughn Sr. also was opposed and criticized arguments that Sunday sales would be an economic benefit to the city.

“It’s all about money,” Vaughn said. “My family is worth more to me than money.”

The second public hearing is set for the Board of Aldermen’s next meeting Aug. 18 at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall.

In other business, aldermen put to rest — for the time being, at least — a potential controversy involving the heavily discussed curbside recycling program.

The board agreed to have city staff, which typically means Chief Administrative Officer Lynn Spruill and others, draw up a contract between the city and Starkville Recycling to begin a curbside pickup plan. The city’s Sanitation Department would pick up recyclables in existing trucks, then take the items to Starkville Recycling on C.C. Clark Road.

Because Starkville Recycling would process the materials and sell them, with no financial agreement with the city, Mayor Parker Wiseman argued the curbside pickup contract should be put out to bid.

On the other side of the argument, Starkville Recycling’s Stan Shurden was of the belief that, because the former Board of Aldermen approved a curbside program with Starkville Recycling in mind, his business should get the contract. Wiseman, however, was undeterred.

“It’s important to know recyclables have a value once they’re collected,” Wiseman said.

“I just felt, in fairness, a decision of this magnitude shouldn’t be made with a wink and a handshake,” he added later.

But Wiseman had no vote and the board voted unanimously to direct city staff to draw up a contract between the city and Starkville Recycling for the curbside pickup program, and have it ready for discussion at the Aug. 18 meeting. The two sides will negotiate over the next two weeks.