(File photo)
Voters in the July 31 primaries approved the measure in Bartow, 9,090-6,992, and in Euharlee, 373-257.
State law changed in 2011 to allow local actions on Sunday alcohol package sales. Rome, Cartersville, Kingston, Rockmart and Cedartown are among the places where voters have approved the sales.
Bartow County Sole Commissioner Clarence Brown said he put the question on the ballot after being approached by business owners in the unincorporated areas.
“When it went in the city, the little mom and pop stores out in the county were losing beer and wine sales,” Brown said. “But that wasn’t the real issue. People bought a lot of other stuff when they bought the beer and wine, and that’s what hurt them.”
Euharlee City Manager Trish Sullivan said that’s why the City Council decided to call for a vote.
“We had some requests,” she said. “We have a gas station and a small retail store in competition with Cartersville.”
Brown signed off on the Bartow ordinance Wednesday and the Euharlee City Council’s final action is scheduled for Aug. 21. Sunday sales are allowed from 12:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Floyd may consider action Floyd County Commission Chairman Irwin Bagwell said a Sunday package sales referendum is one of the issues likely to arise, now that the board is back to full strength.
Commissioners Rhonda Wallace and Larry Maxey were sworn in Wednesday to fill the two vacant seats.
“We have not discussed it,” Bagwell said. “But, personally, I would favor putting it on the ballot to let the community decide.”
Wallace and Maxey each said a vote on Sunday sales is not a high priority, but they’re willing to discuss it when the rest of the board is ready.
Commissioner John Mayes, however, was not enthusiastic. He said he’s not heard a demand from either shoppers or business owners.
“It’s up to the whole Commission, but I’m not interested in revisiting the issue,” he said.
Commissioner Garry Fricks said he’s not a strong advocate, but he wouldn’t mind putting the question to a vote.
“I think it would be good to find out what the people want; be a little progressive,” he said.
If a majority of the Commission agrees, a countywide vote could be conducted as early as the Nov. 6 general election.
More about Sunday alcohol package sales in Georgia
“I think it would be good to find out what the people want; be a little progressive,” he said.
If he wants to be progressive how about inacting it without having to be asked.
What is the major issue with selling alcohol around here? Come into the 21st century better yet come out of the 18th century, thats progressive.