City Commission Considers Sunday Sales

A sharply divided city commission and a divided audience took a sip from the issue of Sunday alcohol sales last week and the after-taste proved bittersweet for many in the meeting chambers at Port St. Joe City Hall.

Commissioners, by a 3-2 vote, approved charging the city attorney with drafting an amendment to the city's alcohol sales ordinance that would allow Sunday sales from 7 a.m. until midnight, the same hours for alcohol sales the other six days of the week.

Commissioners must hold a public hearing on the amendment and must still approve it before Sunday sales would be allowed.

"We are elected to do what we think is best for the city," said Mayor Mel Magidson, who argued the issue was one of choice. "There are many people who would like to have a choice. I don't think we are lowering our standards. This is about giving a choice."

Commissioner Rex Buzzett asked to have the issue placed on last week's agenda and during his opening remarks made the case that in tough economic times the city should not be inhibiting any business from increasing revenues.

There are 14 businesses in the city that sell alcohol, employing 100 people and paying some $7 million in property taxes, Buzzett said.

These small businesses work on slim profit margins and are suffering through tough economic times.

And those who wish to have a purchase alcohol on Sunday, to have a glass of wine with dinner or beer for fishing, can drive to Apalachicola, Wewahitchka, Mexico Beach and parts of the unincorporated county to purchase alcohol.

"I hate to lose those people and that revenue," Buzzett said. "I think we are losing a lot of tax money. We need that tax money, businesses need that revenue."

Magidson passed the gavel to Commissioner Pro Tem Perky White to second Buzzett's motion.

Former commissioner Benny Roberts spoke at length that in his mind the issue was decided by the people during at least two referendums, one just two years ago, which narrowly defeated Sunday sales.  He compared Buzzett's motion to the three county commissioners who have consistently fought against county-wide voting despite overwhelming voter support.

"If you want to go against the people there is a problem," Roberts said. "People don't want alcohol sales on Sunday. You are saying the people are wrong. You are supposed to represent the people."

Commissioner Charles Stephens strongly expressed his opposition to the motion on the floor and White - Stephens and White were the dissenting votes on the motion - even allowed debate to continue after Buzzett had called the question to a vote.

Linda Wood also spoke in opposition, saying the prohibition on Sunday sales is, "Part of our culture, it makes our community very unique. At present we are dealing with a problem of binge drinking among our young people. I am concerned about the message we are sending."

Lorinda Gingell, a long-time educator herself, argued that binge drinking among teens and Sunday sales were two different issues.

While she said underage drinkers should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, she added that teens primarily gain access to alcohol from adults and many times adults in their homes.

Marjorie Parker also expressed support for Buzzett's proposal.

"Times have changed since the (last) referendum," Parker said. "People had jobs. I think Mr. Buzzett has some made some good points."

Magidson related a trip to Black Mountain, North Carolina, whose most famous citizen for decades was the Rev. Billy Graham. While in a restaurant on a Sunday in that city, Magidson said he and his wife observed several people drinking a beer or a glass of wine with lunch.

"I have yet to have anybody explain to me why it is wrong," Magidson said of Sunday sales, an issue he said had been bantered back and forth for years. "I know why some people don't like it, but I have yet to have somebody explain why it's wrong.

"What we are saying is we are going to impose our beliefs on (those who might want to have a drink of an adult beverage on Sunday)."

Commissioner John Reeves, who last brought the issue to the commission resulting in the referendum of two years ago, neither brought the motion nor seconded, a promise he said he had made. However, he was in support of Sunday sales for many of the reasons mapped out by Buzzett.

"A referendum is a politician's way of avoiding a tough issue," Reeves said, adding he had not wanted the referendum two years ago precisely because of the divisive nature of the issue. "Referendums are non-binding. Sometimes you are asked to vote on something that is unpopular and is tough.

"We are elected to make decisions that are best for the city."

The amendment to the alcohol sales ordinance should be brought to the board for consideration at its Nov. 18 meeting.

 In other business taken up during last Tuesday's meeting:

•·           Effective immediately, the city's workers will have Veterans Day off, swapping that annual holiday with the day after Christmas. Before last Tuesday, Port St. Joe was the lone area municipality or county that did not take Veterans Day off.