Commerce to vote on Sunday alcohol sales

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Commerce to vote on Sunday alcohol sales

Posted by

Mark Beardsley

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Wednesday, September 12. 2012

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Commerce voters will decide on Tuesday, Nov. 6, whether they want to allow the Sunday sales of beer and wine by the package and beer, wine and distilled spirits by the drink.

The Commerce City Council voted 3-1 Monday night to hold the two separate referenda in conjunction with the general election.

Voters will face two separate questions that will be on paper ballots (they will use voting machines for the general election). One will ask about the Sunday sale of beer and wine by the package and the other about the Sunday sale of beer, wine and spirits in restaurants that currently pour the other six days a week.

Ward 2 councilman Darren Owensby cast the only dissenting vote on a motion made by Ward 5 councilman Johnny Eubanks “to give the citizens the right” to vote on the matter.

Saying the Sunday sales issue “came out of the blue,” Owensby questioned whether there is really a demand for a vote. Mayor Clark Hill and mayor pro tem Keith Burchett responded that they’ve been asked a number of times about whether there would be a Sunday sales vote.

Commerce is the only municipality in the county that allows the sale of alcohol, but has not had a referendum on Sunday sales since the law was changed to allow the option of Sunday sales.

“It seems like we’re just trying to follow what Jefferson does, what Homer does or what Banks County does,” Owensby complained. “It just seems like it’s being pushed.”

Owensby said he’s had no calls on the matter.

“In my opinion,” he said, “beer and liquor six days a week is enough. We need to leave Sunday alone, because it’s the Lord’s day and we need to treat it like the Lord’s day.”

Hill, Eubanks and Burchett all stressed that the issue is letting the people vote.

“I’d be hard pressed to vote against (holding) any referendum personally,” Hill said. “That’s what makes us Americans. …We should feel obligated to do what the majority of the people ask us to do.”

“All we’re doing is letting them decide what they want,” Burchett agreed.

“It’s not going away,” Eubanks said of the issue. “It’s coming back. The ones who asked about it are going to ask again, so I think we ought to go forward with it.”

Eubanks, Burchett and Archie Chaney voted for the motion. Councilmen Mark Fitzpatrick and Steve Perry were not present.

Voters in Jackson County recently approved Sunday sales both by the drink and by the package for unincorporated areas of the county. Banks County will hold a Sunday pouring referendum on Nov. 6. Jefferson, Braselton and Hoschton have already approved Sunday sales.

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#1 cw on 09/12/12 at 08:16 PM [Reply]

It is good to see that Owensby has ability to
not be a tag along councilman.

We have had too many Sheeple in the Commerce
group for years. Look at the councilmen that
"were not present" to cast a ballot. Where you
the gentleman that day when it was time to stand up and be counted?

#2 Taxpayer on 09/13/12 at 08:39 AM [Reply]

“In my opinion,” he said, “beer and liquor six days a week is enough. We need to leave Sunday alone, because it’s the Lord’s day and we need to treat it like the Lord’s day.”

Well Mr. Owensby for one I live in your ward and you my friend have lost votes. Have you ever heard of the separation of church and state? If you dont want it dont vote for it but lets leave the church out of it and let the rest of the city vote on what they want.

#2.1 the lords day? on 09/17/12 at 08:07 AM [Reply]

i think there is no specific day outlined..... but the Jewish faith see Friday as the day.... eitherwaythe state shouldnot be involved in religion

#2.2 Freedom on 09/17/12 at 01:59 PM [Reply]

"Have you ever heard of the separation of church and state?"

I ask in return, "Have you ever heard of freedom of speech?" Hypocritical of you to ask Mr. Owensby to not speak about the Lord when we have freedom of speech in this country. It is Mr. Owensby’s right to speak on what ever he wishes. If he wants to bring up the Lord then he has ever right to do so.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
I don’t see any where above that says you can’t mention the Lord…..
Maybe the High School will let you sit in on a Government class. You've got a lot to learn…

#2.2.1 Taxpayer on 09/20/12 at 10:10 AM [Reply]

I ask in return, "Have you ever heard of freedom of speech?"

I have alot to learn? I have no problem with Mr. Owensby's freedom of speech. He can say whatever he wants and I could care less. But in return I also have the right to freedom of speech. If this passes are you or Mr. Owensby going to stop going to church because of it? No! So in my opinion this has nothing to do with the church. It has to do with what the people of this city want and dont want thats the reason you can vote for it or against it. And I also have the right to base my vote on what my councilmen says. Isnt that how it works? So the way I see it he has his opinion, I have my opinion and you have your opinion.

#2.2.2 sod buster on 11/09/12 at 09:08 PM [Reply]

To Freedom and Jeff Brown.
Stop it. Mr. Owensby is an elected official. He should NEVER interject his PERSONAL FEELINGS into that job! Yes he does have the right to free speech, but there ARE limits to free speech. You may not have paid that close attention during your civics classes in school, but the right to free speech is not an across the board right. If he (and I am sure he does) has an opinion, then he certainly should NOT make them known during a city council meeting, open to the public to hear. It is basic parliamentary procedure. Of course, he could have just worded his statement differently i.e. "I was told that we should leave it alone" or something to that effect.

#2.3 Bill Ball on 09/26/12 at 03:32 PM [Reply]

The Sabbath was given to Israel, not the church. The Sabbath is still Saturday, not Sunday, and has never been changed. But the Sabbath is part of the Old Testament Law, and Christians are free from the bondage of the Law (Galatians 4:1-26; Romans 6:14). Sabbath keeping is not required of the Christian—be it Saturday or Sunday. The first day of the week, Sunday, the Lord's Day (Revelation 1:10) celebrates the New Creation, with Christ as our resurrected Head. We are not obligated to follow the Mosaic Sabbath—resting, but are now free to follow the risen Christ—serving. The Apostle Paul said that each individual Christian should decide whether to observe a Sabbath rest, “One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind” (Romans 14:5). We are to worship God every day, not just on Saturday or Sunday.

#3 Anonymous on 09/13/12 at 11:00 AM [Reply]

Paper ballots? Is this so they can make the election results what they want them to be? Why not official results on the machines?

#4 shakingmyhead on 09/13/12 at 11:39 AM [Reply]

Well, Mr. Owensby, it is not your opinion that matters. You are only a councilman, not the ruler of the county! Whether or not YOU choose to buy beer or wine on Sunday is completely irrelevant to whether or not voters get to have their say.

#4.1 Jeff Brown on 09/13/12 at 08:33 PM [Reply]

I think Mr Owensby has every right to voice his option the very way he did. I know Mr Burchett and Mr Hill SAID they have had many calls on this issue and Eubanks put his speech in the mix as well saying it is for the citizens and how that is his main concern I really doubt that Eubanks even cares about or knows that anybody other than a few fireman ( who have no respect for him either ) even live in commerce, I think he is looking for a close place to get snookered every night. Anyway back to the main thing, who is to say Mr Owensby has not had even more calls in opposition .
I think he has been a very fair voice in this city.

#5 One more vote on 09/13/12 at 04:44 PM [Reply]

Count me as someone who wants this vote. I work, make money, pay my taxes, and drink responsibly. When I want to buy a beer at the grocery store, by God, it's none of the government's business whether it's Sunday or not.

#6 Anonymous on 09/14/12 at 08:32 PM [Reply]

Jeff brown you seem to be a very informed blogger. You are quick to stand up for the right of mr owensby to voice his opinion, but mr Eubanks to not voice his. You must be very close to mr eubanks to be aware of his thoughts and motivations. I think the only opinion mr eubanks voiced was that the citizens deserved the right to vote. And as far as the fireman who don't respect this man, I'm sure these are the same individuals that command so much respect for themselves that they have to be dismissed from a volunteer organization. I think in the end you are a voice for such narrow minded thought that you praise the right for one person to voice their opinion and personally slam another.

#7 Jeff Brown on 09/17/12 at 08:05 AM [Reply]

Thank you for your opinion and your name is anonymous ? Not close to either just a outsider looking in and it looks like Owensby is getting slammed for his opinion just as you did me for mine

#8 Anonymous on 09/26/12 at 03:18 PM [Reply]

It is often claimed that “God instituted the Sabbath in Eden” because of the connection between the Sabbath and creation in Exodus 20:11. Although God's rest on the seventh day (Genesis 2:3) did foreshadow a future Sabbath law, there is no biblical record of the Sabbath before the children of Israel left the land of Egypt. Nowhere in Scripture is there any hint that Sabbath-keeping was practiced from Adam to Moses.

#8.1 Joe Christmas on 09/27/12 at 03:24 PM [Reply]

"There are no truths outside the gates of Eden"

Bob Dylan- Gates Of Eden

#9 Cosmo Kramer on 10/13/12 at 10:45 AM [Reply]

Like I said elsewhere - I was buying alcohol in Commerce on Sunday when I was 16. Might as well enjoy the benefits of added tax revenue.

#10 Anonymous on 11/06/12 at 07:28 PM [Reply]

We do not need some bible thumper telling us we can't buy alcohol on sunday if that's what u want then get out of politics and become a preacher.....

#10.1 adam on 11/07/12 at 02:14 PM [Reply]

Why such hatred? Everyone is entitled to an opinion...or is your belief everyone is entitled to an opinion unless it is different than yours? Bible Thumper? Really? May want to get some mental help, you have dangerous rage.......bet your spouse agrees!

#10.1.1 Pot calling the kettle black on 11/09/12 at 05:09 PM [Reply]

Did you actually read what you typed? If so you are a blind moronic ignorant idiot. You honestly didn't see that you denied the poster the same right as you practiced!! Everyone IS entitled to an opinion, just as you say, but then again why is your opinion of non alcohol more binding than his for supporting it? If you don't want it then don't buy it and stop telling others they can't. You hypocrite! As far as mental help, you're past that. You need a health clinic because you can't think!

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