Rhodhiss to vote on beer, wine

NO ABC STORE, BUT RESTAURANTS COULD ALSO SELL MIXED DRINKS; REFERENDUM IS SEPT. 12

Friday, August 25, 2006

By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer

Rhodhiss residents may no longer have to make the short commute out of town to buy beer and wine.

On Sept. 12, voters will decide in a referendum that would allow the sale of some alcoholic beverages within Rhodhiss limits. The measure proposed by the Board of Commissioners earlier this summer would likely bring the town additional revenue in a time of economic decline, Mayor Jimmy Wilson said.

"The tax revenue would be wonderful," he said. "If people want (alcohol), it doesn't matter where they buy it, they'll get it. May as well make some money off it."

The referendum would allow Rhodhiss businesses to sell malt beverages, such as beer, and fortified wines, said Town Manager Rose Waldrup. Restaurants could serve mixed drinks and liquor.

The board has decided residents can continue to make the 2 1/2-mile commute to the ABC store in Granite Falls for liquor, Waldrup said.

The town voted 151-81 against a similar change in 2002. Although that vote brought 66 percent of registered voters to the polls, only two residents showed up at Saturday's town hall day to discuss the current proposal, Waldrup said.

Wilson said officials have better explained the measure to residents this time around. He's hopeful voters will favor the sales, but isn't sure if the measure will pass.

Granite Falls legalized alcohol sales in December 2002, something Wilson said is a positive sign.

The 965-person town straddles Burke and Caldwell counties, and if passed, the new alcohol laws would apply to all of Rhodhiss. Waldrup estimates that more than two-thirds of the population is over 21.

Rhodhiss currently has two establishments, the Riverfront Grill and Owens' Express, that would likely see a jump in revenue if the measure were passed, Waldrup said. Another hope, she said, is that more grocers and restaurants will come to Rhodhiss.

But not everyone in the small town thinks legalizing the sale of alcohol is a great idea, Waldrup said, and worry that changing the law will make the town less desirable.

"(Those in) opposition think there will be things like beer joints and problems with drunkenness," she said, "and they don't want that."

Commissioner Clarence Burns, whom Waldrup and Wilson said has openly opposed the measure, would not comment.

The other board members are in favor of changing the law, Waldrup said.

All content © THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER
and may not be republished without permission.