Council demonstrates wisdom by holding off on liquor vote

Demopolis’ City Council should be commended for the way it handled a very delicate matter at Thursday’s meeting.

The body listened to reasoned discussion on its Sunday and holiday liquor sales proposal, and then – albeit in somewhat unique fashion – placed the matter on hold rather than making a hasty decision that could affect the community for years to come.

A group of area ministers voiced concern about lifting the ban on Sunday and holiday alcohol sales. Rev. Hank Atchison of the Blackbelt Ministerial Association shared a recent newspaper article suggesting that Sunday liquor sales do not contribute significantly to tax revenues, and further offered evidence from a respected health journal that a direct correlation exists between expanded alcohol sales and increased traffic accidents and fatalities.

Rev. Atchison made a compelling case while steering clear of Bible-thumping or preaching. Supported by other ministers in attendance, he expressed genuine concern for how Sunday alcohol sales may change the community, and not for the better.

Rev. Carl Williams asked the council to take its time on this issue and not be pressured by a deadline to get the measure on this November’s ballot. The stakes are too high to make a hasty decision, he said.

After also hearing from a local restaurant owner who supports the measure, the council went through a series of motions – to table, then approve, then oppose – the resolution, each of which died for lack of a second. That surprising twist of events now leaves the matter just sitting out there – basically the council can address it again if it so chooses, but is under no obligation to do so.

Council members – collectively, if not individually – are no doubt conflicted as to the best course of action on this issue. Like every city, Demopolis needs new revenue sources, but we sense that Atchison’s words and the undeniable statistics he presented struck a chord. Further, there appeared to be a larger segment of those in attendance Thursday who opposed Sunday liquor sales, although a show-of-hands poll by the mayor at a town meeting two nights earlier appeared to lean in the other direction.

Either way, this is a serious and potentially-divisive issue for the community, and for that and other reasons we hope the council will heed the old adage of “when in doubt, don’t”, and simply let it lie.