Demopolis council to consider Sunday, holiday liquor sales

Demopolis’ City Council will discuss the possibility of allowing Sunday and holiday liquor sales at its next meeting.

Council member Charles Jones initiated the discussion at Thursday evening’s council meeting at Rooster Hall, but credited fellow council member Harris Nelson with the original idea.

Nelson said he has spoken with various business owners in the city, and indicated several have voiced their support.

For Sunday and holiday alcohol sales to become legal in the city, a resolution from the council would have to pass the legislature, then a public referendum would need to gain voter approval. The earliest referendum date would be November’s general election.

Also at Thursday’s meeting, Scarlett Pate, a first grade teacher at West Alabama Christian School, asked the council to consider a city-wide recycling program. Her students have been studying recycling, she said, adding that they have learned recycling creates jobs, saves energy and preserves natural resources.

“We’re teaching our children how to be responsible for the future,” Pate said, adding that 87 percent of the nation’s municipalities currently participates in some type of recycling program.

She added that a $1 per household per month assessment would provide more than $3,000 per month, which would cover the cost of an employee to collect recyclable items city-wide.

Mayor Mike Grayson noted that a private recycling business already operates in the area, but said the city would look further into the possibilities.

“I commend you for getting our children thinking about recycling at an early age,” he said.

In other matters, Police Chief Tommie Reese submitted his annual report. He told the council that 2013 was a busy year for his department, but noted that crime in the city has dropped 39 percent since 2009. He commended his officers for their efforts in reducing crime.

Also, the council approved the law firm of Manley, Traeger, Perry and Stapp to serve as interim city attorney in the absence of Bill Poole, who is recovering from a recent gunshot wound. “We certainly support Mr. Poole,” attorney Scott Stapp told the council. “Whenever he comes back, and we hope he does, we’ll be glad for him to continue do what he will do. In the meantime, we want to help the city any way we can.”

The council learned that a $1,500 donation from Alabama Power will allow a musical performer to appear at various schools in Demopolis May 15, then provide a Sax in the City concert that same evening.

After an executive session, the council voted 4-2 – with Grayson and Cleveland Cole dissenting – to allow non-elected city officials to run for public office, provided they are not running for a city office.