Council approves Sunday morning alcohol sales in 4 to 3 vote
By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on August 7, 2017 10:09 PM
Full Size
News-Argus/ROCHELLE MOORE
Councilmen Mark Stevens, Bevan Foster and Gene Aycock vote against the measure to up the time alcohol sales will be permissible in the city on Sundays from noon to 10 a.m.
The city of Goldsboro now joins more than 60 cities across North Carolina where Sunday morning alcohol sales are allowed.
The Goldsboro City Council was divided in its Monday evening vote of 4-3 to allow alcohol sales starting at 10 a.m. Sunday, instead of noon.
Mayor Chuck Allen and Councilmen Antonio Williams, Bill Broadaway and David Ham voted in favor of the earlier sales. Councilmen Bevan Foster, Mark Stevens and Gene Aycock voted in opposition.
During the council's 5 p.m. work session, prior to its regular meeting, several council members spoke in favor and in opposition to the local ordinance.
Legislation, signed into law on June 30, allows elected officials in cities and counties across the state to approve local ordinances allowing alcohol sales two hours earlier on Sundays.
"I'm fine with it," Allen said.
Broadaway said he was hesitant on voting against the ordinance due to potential impacts on the tourism industry.
"I don't want it to be a negative if we're trying to bring in a hotel and conventions," Broadaway said.
City officials are continuing efforts to attract a hotel along Wayne Memorial Drive near the Maxwell Center, where conventions and other events will be held once the facility opens.
Foster and Stevens shared concern about allowing earlier sales, which would be allowed at area stores.
"We already have problems with people drinking and everything as it is," Foster said. "I can see where it would cause harm at some of the convenience stores."
Stevens agreed.
"It's going to have somewhat of a negative effect," Stevens said. "My only thing is, if you're drinking at 10 a.m., you've got a drinking problem."
Following the discussion, the council decided to put the local ordinance up for a vote during its regular 7 p.m. meeting.
Prior to the vote, several people spoke against early Sunday sales, primarily for religious reasons. Two downtown business owners asked the council to pass the ordinance.
"I feel that serving alcohol at 10 o'clock on Sunday morning will be a bad influence on the young people and should be voted down," said Anna White. "If we have our people sitting in a bar at 10 a.m. on Sunday morning, they are missing an opportunity to attend one of our many churches in the city."
White said she is concerned that the change would lead to more drunk driving and increased crime.
Dustin Pike, a downtown business owner and president of the Downtown Goldsboro Merchants Association, said 71 percent of the association's membership supports the 10 a.m. Sunday sales. Twenty percent are against the earlier sales, and nine percent have no opinion either way, he said.
"The merchants feel that the Brunch Bill will bring new hospitality, food and entertainment businesses to Goldsboro," Pike said. "They also feel we need to pass this to remain competitive with our neighbors."
The passing of Senate Bill 155, also known as the Brunch Bill, has led to the passing of local ordinances across the state, including Kinston, which now allow the sale of mixed drinks at hotels and restaurants and beer and wine at stores.
Carson Clark, co-owner of Goldsboro Brew Works, asked how Sunday morning sales were different from early morning sales during other days of the week.
Someone in the audience said Sunday, is "the Lord's Day."
"So now this is an issue of religion," Clark said. "We're making laws based on religion. It's absolutely unconstitutional."
The earlier morning sales will be allowed in Goldsboro starting Sunday, said Scott Stevens, city manager.