Touting messages of progress and development, the Starkville Board of Aldermen Tuesday took another step toward allowing Sunday alcohol sales.
The board voted 4-3 to amend its alcohol ordinance and allow businesses in the city to sell beer on Sundays. Businesses such as grocery stores, service stations, restaurants, bars and nightclubs are included, Ward 5 Alderman Jeremiah Dumas said. The changes won”t go into effect for another 30 days.
The board Tuesday also voted to petition the State Tax Commission to allow restaurants, bars and nightclubs to sell liquor and wine by the glass on Sundays. The Tax Commission has to approve those changes before they can go into effect, Dumas said.
Liquor stores are run by the state and still won”t be open on Sundays, he said.
Ward 6 Alderman Roy A. Perkins was the most outspoken city official to vote against the amendments. He cited religious convictions and criticized proponents of Sundays sales who say the amendments could lead to more businesses and tax revenue in the city.
“Money isn”t everything,” Perkins said. “It”s not going to get you into heaven.”
During a 10-minute speech, Perkins spoke passionately and at one point drew jeers from some of the residents standing in the back of the packed courtroom in City Hall.
“I wish we could pass a law that would require people to go to church on Sunday,” Perkins said.
The statement was followed by cries of “unconstitutional” and other comments.
But Perkins” sentiments were similar to those who had criticized the plan during the public hearing earlier in the meeting. Most cited religious and moral concerns, while others were afraid of an increase in drunken drivers and alcohol-related crimes.
Judge Jim Mills spoke out against the change.
“We”re constantly having problems (involving alcohol),” Mills said. “If you take the time to come to court, city or county, you will see the courtroom packed like it is tonight. And 95 percent of it is because of the effects of alcohol.”
Marnita Henderson, the Republican candidate for mayor who lost to Democrat Parker Wiseman this spring, also was opposed to Sunday sales.
“Starkville is a certified retirement community,” Henderson said. “Does the sale of Sunday alcohol help draw new retired residents? I think not.”
Henderson asked the board to put the Sunday sales issue up for a referendum.
“If you feel you must proceed with this, at least let the people vote and, if it passes, so be it, but at least it is a community decision,” she said.
Ward 5”s Jeremiah Dumas has been the Board of Alderman”s biggest proponent of Sunday alcohol sales.
“I think the key thing is we have to look at the depth of the issue,” Dumas said. “We can”t make generalized assumptions about crime and these other things.”
Allowing Sunday alcohol sales would give the city a progressive image in the eyes of businessmen looking to set up shop, Dumas said. He also called the city”s alcohol ordinance “archaic” and said the amendments are needed to stay competitive in the global marketplace.
“The reality is we have not yet reached our potential,” Dumas said.
Dumas also acknowledged how divisive the ordinance amendments have become.
“I”ve been called the anti-Christ,” Dumas said.
Ward 2 Alderman Sandra Sistrunk, Ward 3 Alderman Eric Parker and Ward 4 Alderman Richard Corey voted with Dumas in favor of Sunday sales. Perkins was joined by Ward 1 Alderman Ben Carver and Ward 7 Alderman Henry Vaughn Sr. in opposition. The votes were identical when it came time to vote on whether or not to petition the State Tax Commission.
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