Community’s best interest not always measured in dollars

Less than a week from now, six men will decide whether or not to allow the sale of alcohol in Demopolis on Sundays and holidays. We say the decision rests with them because, most assuredly, a resolution prompted by a city council “yes” vote would breeze through a disinterested Legislature, and local citizens would likely follow the council’s lead in a subsequent referendum.

So the decision, for all practical purposes, will be made at the Feb. 20 council meeting. The expedient course of action – the one that would get the council off the hook – is to simply say “let the voters decide”. But city council members – by a vote of the people – are entrusted with the decisions that contribute to the overall betterment of the city, and that preserve the community-shaping values handed down by their predecessors.

This column will not debate the matter’s two primary intersecting issues – the first being the sale and consumption of alcohol and the second being how one should spend his or her Sundays. We will say, however, that something just doesn’t feel right when those two things are put together.

We understand the challenge the council faces in securing enough revenues to provide services, convenience, protection and quality of life for the residents of Demopolis. It’s a never-ending battle for every city government. But we strongly urge our leaders not to vote dollars and cents on this one, and to look beyond the (somewhat limited) additional sales tax revenues the measure may bring.

One of the advantages of living in a community like Demopolis is that we know our local officials personally, and from first-hand experience we believe Demopolis’ mayor and five council members are good men who recognize Sunday as a sacred day – a day of worship, rest and family. Indeed, you will find most if not all of them in their respective churches on Sundays, and for that we express admiration.

And, as such, we ask each of them to cast his vote next week based on his answer to the following question: Will the sale of alcohol on Sunday move Demopolis closer to, or farther from, the day it is meant to be?