Group prepares to fight Sunday alcohol sales referendum
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DUI Family
DUI Family
Ben Greene/WBTW
Published: September 16, 2008
Updated: September 17, 2008
FLORENCE — Florence resident Chad Parker recalls the Friday night in April 1995 when he and his wife, Pam, were struck head-on by a drunken driver.
Parker told his story Tuesday to a crowd of Florence residents who oppose a referendum that could allow Sunday alcohol sales at restaurants within Florence city limits.
“Please vote no,” he told the audience of nearly 30 people. “Give us at least one safe day. Everyone’s got a right to do what they want to do, but not at a cost to everyone else.”
Members of the group Strengthening Florence Families, who held their organizational meeting Tuesday, hope that Parker’s story will hit home and encourage voters to turn down the referendum.
“It’s too late to change what city council did, but it’s not too late to change what the voters of Florence will do,” said Florence attorney Gary Finklea, who was elected chairman at the meeting.
Southside Baptist Church pastor Jim Crooks was elected vice chairman.
The group recently launched the Web site http://votenoflorence.com in opposition of the referendum.
It plans to distribute small pamphlets, yard signs and “commitment to vote no” sign-up sheets. It also wants to develop a video presentation and run advertising in print, television and online media.
Hospitality Association of South Carolina President Tom Sponseller told Florence City Council in July that allowing restaurants to sell alcohol on Sundays would increase sales by $650,000 a month.
Finklea said the hospitality association is a Columbia-based group with little connection to Florence, which he estimates would gain only $280,000 a year in taxes from Sunday alcohol sales.
Finklea also said the group wants to know what the cost to the city will be. About $13 million — half of the city’s general fund budget — goes toward police and fire protection.
City council candidate Glynn Willis, who opposes Sunday alcohol sales, attended the meeting. Mayoral candidates Rocky Pearce and Stephen J. Wukela were unable to attend because of scheduling conflicts, but have said they oppose Sunday alcohol sales, as well.
County councilman Morris Anderson spoke at the meeting.
“I’m not going to put my religious convictions on anyone else,” Anderson said. “My concern, even though I don’t live in the city, is that driving under the influence is a terrible thing to do.”
Bill Monroe, pastor of Florence Baptist Temple, said he is not presenting the issue as a spiritual matter of “abstinence versus moderation” in alcohol consumption.
Instead, the group is opposed to the 16 additional hours of alcohol sales in restaurants and bars — extending from midnight to 2 a.m. Sunday, with establishments reopening at 10 a.m. Sunday.
The group’s next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 30 at the Drs. Bruce & Lee Foundation Library, 509 S. Dargan St., Florence.
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Reader Reactions
Just found this on “The State” website:
York Co. businesses put support behind Sunday alcohol sales vote
LAKE WYLIE— About a half-dozen business leaders from Rock Hill, Fort Mill and Lake Wylie gathered today at the Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce to declare their support for the Nov. 4 referendum on countywide Sunday alcohol sales.
“It has a huge economic impact,” Chet Miller, campaign co-chairman for Citizens & Business for York County, said of countywide Sunday sales. “Needless to say it generates more jobs.”
The two-year process required supporters of the proposal to gather 7,500 signatures before a ballot could be presented countywide. The group gathered 9,000 signatures touting positives like increased tax revenue, decreased unemployment, recruiting of national restaurants and—they say most importantly—personal choice.
Jeff Brown, managing partner at Outback Steakhouse in Rock Hill, said his business is a testament to the need for change. After years of not being allowed Sunday sales, Outback began serving alcohol when Rock Hill passed a similar ruling allowing the practice. While Sunday once was the least busy day of the week, now it ranks behind only Saturday and Friday, Brown said.
“And less than 10 percent of that increase is alcohol,” he said.
Voters will decide the issue Nov. 4.
taranjane90:
You must assume that because I’m in favor of Sunday Alcohol sales, that I must drink.
I DO NOT drink!
I go to church EVERY Sunday!
My husband owns a business in Florence and he and I both agree that anything to help this town grow would benefit us and others through additional revenues.
When I say “benefit”, I mean help pay the bills so we can survive.
It’s OK to worship on Sunday’s and encourage growth through Sunday alcohol sales.
Your “RESEARCH” is not very scientific .. I know you think that people will find you more credible when you put your “RESEARCH” up .. but it’s just not fair to compare a place like Myrtle Beach to Florence.
Don’t worry, there’s no chance that Florence is going to turn into a Myrtle Beach.
Tarzan Jane .. you and I are more alike in more ways than you’ll ever know. I just don’t think that you’re very interested in Florence growing!
Just stating RESEARCHED facts that support our claim that Sunday alcohol sales do result in more alcohol related accidents and arrests. I thought it would be the adult, responsible thing to do in a debate. You know, RESEARCHING facts to support my opinion? “Bright people” don’t mind doing research to support their views in a debate.
Not-so-bright people spew venom, call people names, act like children and NEVER come up with one substantiated fact or figure to support THEIR opinion in a debate. Some of you guys would rather spend your time being rude and hateful, passing way more judgement on us than we do on you, thinking you know everything about us. Why can’t you spend some of that time constructively coming up with some facts on how Sunday alcohol sales will benefit the families of Florence? You keep ignoring that request, why is that?
Is it because the only “benefit” is that those of you who drink, will be able to; so, therefore, the benefit is for YOU not Florence and the families of the Florence community.
You have not been able to provide facts and figures for your debate, yet, and that makes you mad and extremely defensive; so, instead of doing any research, you act like a bully and call people names to make yourself feel better. Some of you guys on here seem to be very angry, resentful, spiteful, hate-filled people who must have had some very unpleasant life experiences. Well, let it go, life is not always fair and unforgiveness will just bring you down even further. Let your anger go, it only causes health problems and causes wrinkles. “He who angers you, controls you.“
You know, it was said to me, on here, earlier that I can tell children what to do, but not grown adults.
Well, if “adults” would act like intelligent, respectful adults, then we would treat them that way; but, when you act like a child, then you are spoken to like a child.
tarzanjane:
You compared Florence to Myrtle Beach?
The strengthening Florence folks took a survey from New Mexico and applied “package sales” in there comparison.
I feel so fortunate to live in a town with such bright people!
I am only going to respond to a couple of things and I am truly done.
In response to Lisa’s response: “What I would like is for the Florence area to grow and improve. Are you happy with the roads we have here in Florence?“
Florence has been growing a very fast rate. Have YOU seen all the new businesses and restaurants being opened and built around Florence. As far as the roads go, that $30 per car Road Maintenance Fee we pay is suppose to improve roads. If they didn’t use that money as they said they would, do you really believe they will use “alcohol revenue” any differently?
In response to: “You have been so brainwashed to think that people “will be drinking for 16 hours” on Sunday.“
No, I have not been “brainwashed”, but I am not stupid either. I don’t think that one person, say you for example, plans on going into a bar and sitting for 16 hours and drinking; however, I do know that there will be people (alcoholics) who will do just that. That’s not brainwashing, that’s common sense. Why do you think they want to open at 10 am. Do you realize that that means, by 12 pm, when church lets out, there will potentially already be drunks on the road. I know that may not mean anything to you; but, I am working on some figures for all you, based on the number of DUIs on Sundays in the towns that do allow alcohol sales. I have only done one day so far and it looks like this:
For Sunday, Sep. 7, 2008:
Florence County—there was not one person arrested for any kind of alcohol related incidents.
In Horry county, where Sunday alcohol sales are allowed there were:
8 DUI’s
1 Minor in possession of Alcohol
1 Open Container-Alcohol
1 DUI & Hit and Run Accident
1 DUI & Open Container
5 Public Disorderlies and Public Intoxication
1 Pedistrian-Drunk
These are actual facts and figures, I will be compiling more.
Thank you for the opportunity to speak my opinion. I look forward to YOUR researched facts and figures, that I have been asking for since the beginning.
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Posted by ( Breeze5812 ) on September 17, 2008 at 6:02 pm
I am really sorry for what happened to the Parker�s, but that was on a Friday night and you are right, people should not drink and drive, BUT, you and the rest of the holier then thou have no right to judge me or anyone else. What we want to do is no ones business but ours. The person who wrote to me and said that I probley don�t go to church, what does that have to do with wanting a drink with my dinner on Sunday. And since when do I have to pay a church to pray to God. I don�t believe in driving drunk and when I do drink I DON�T get drunk and neither does my husband. We have plenty of CLUBS around here and TOPLESS ones at that if you want a drink on Sunday so don�t condem the servers who would like to make a little more money on Sunday. I wasn�t put on the earth to judge you, so don�t judge other people.
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All your arguments are shallow….
1. the question is asked, his accident happened on Friday, not Sunday…. What difference does it make, it happened because of ALCOHOL…GET IT?
2. Drinking (1) one beer, or shot of anything is too much for most anyone to have and drive. A drink with lunch is enough to impair the driver and I don’t want to meet you coming at me on the highway impaired!!
3. Why does everyone that posts for Alcohol sales here want to run down faith based lives as being ‘stupid’ in your posts. Geezzzee, it’s your post slamming that is getting the eye rolls…..were/are you drinking as you post…well got to wonder!
4. Alcohol is a ‘drug’ just so you know.
5. Solution for everyone: let’s only sell non-alcohol containing beer and other drinks. That way you can still have your beer and not worry about the DWI part of it.
6. #5 scares you because you are actually addicted to alcohol and if you take the alcohol out, you can’t get your buzz/fix…..now that’s the truth. Other wise if you drink beer for the taste, non-alcoholic beer will be just fine with you and it should be legal now…..it contains no alcohol….
That way you can tax the non-alcohol products (beer) all you want and truely get your tax ‘bumb’ in florence.
7. If #5,6 anger you, scare you, check your addictions…..there’s hope, you can overcome your addiction to alcohol.
I continue to notice in this thread, that those who want Alcohol sales on Sunday, still show NO supportive figures to argue that we indeed will gain as a community…..only a few will gain..those who own the bars where the Alcohol will be sold/and the suppliers of the Alcohol. Hear me again…Supporter of the Alcohol sales on Sunday have NOT shown mathematical evidence showing a the impacts and that is will indeed be a positive for the city.
Put up the facts or hush with the personal attacks on people. It only shows your lack of depth in this subject.
tarzanjane wrote:
“If all you want to do is be able to watch football and drink, then buy your liquor or beer on Saturday and watch the game at home. Pretty simple, in my opinion.“
What I would like is for the Florence area to grow and improve. Are you happy with the roads we have here in Florence?
This isn’t about me drinking beer and watching football games.
You just don’t get it .. do you Tarzan Jane? You have been so brainwashed to think that people “will be drinking for 16 hours” on Sunday.
Apple Annie’s and The Swamp are primarily bars-if the ban on alcohol sales keeps them from opening Sundays, then that doesn’t say a whole lot about the “restaurant” side of their business.
Tarzanjane90, I have looked at the Swamp’s menu-you can too at http://theswampsportsbarandgrill.com/
where they proudly boast their being “VOTED BEST BAR OF THE PEE DEE.“ Seems like standard restaurant fare, so why isn’t it enough to warrant opening on Sunday without alcohol? I think we know the answer. I agree with you, Lisa and Iamepic are free to buy a 12-pack of Mic Light and a bottle of white zinfadel on Saturdays at the Food Lion and enjoy it while watching the Panthers, NASCAR, or whatever on Sundays, as it is their homes and their business and neither of us have any right to dictate to them. I think we will have to agree to disagree, without name-calling, and try to get more voters on our side of this issue than they do on theirs.
“Apple Annie’s and The Swamp are two restaurants that are not open on Sunday’s because they cannot serve alcohol. “
Explains a lot right there, the word restaurant does not describe these places and used loosely in the name of one. These are considered sports BARS or Pubs, I mean aren’t the correct names Apple Annies Deli & Pub and The Swamp Sports Bar & Restaurant . It’s not that the food they serve is necessarily bad, it’s just that they don’t make a lot of revenue off of chicken wings, sandwiches and peanuts, they make it off of alcohol (and before I get ripped for that, I don’t know the whole menu of either place, just naming some common items).
If all you want to do is be able to watch football and drink, then buy your liquor or beer on Saturday and watch the game at home. Pretty simple, in my opinion.
One last thing to iamepic: I am not “holier than thou”, nor do I think I am, nor do I think I ever can be. I don’t think you will “lose your spot in heaven” because, if you are a Christian, you know that you cannot lose your salvation. The only way to go to hell is by rejecting what Jesus did on the cross for my sins and yours. I have never stated that alcohol was going to send anyone to hell.
Thanks a bunch guys. I have said it before, and I will say it again, I am done here. It seems no one who wants this referendum to pass can be polite and state the benefits of it for Florence and the families of Florence. This is just a board to attack the “religious” folks. I will go to the poles and vote my conscious and I pray that you will pray to God, ask for direction and then vote your conscious.
I pray God will bless each and everyone of you on here. Take care.
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