Monday, March 2, 2015

State Supreme Court rules on Alcohol Sales suit



An Alabama Supreme Court ruling on alcohol sales could affect your community's bottom line.  The Justices sided with Blount County ministers Friday overturning a state law. That law allowed small Alabama towns within dry counties to vote on alcohol sales.  
If the ruling isn't reversed cities with a population of 1,000-7,000 will become a dry city once again. Oneonta just passed its wet vote four months ago. That decision resulted in $30,000 of extra income each month - money promised to fund public safety and education. 
City Manager Ed Lowe says they've had interest from big developers - but a requirement for many - is alcohol sales. 
Oneonta citizens voted 62% to go wet.
Store managers say alcohol sales now accounts for between 20-30% of their revenue.
While many disagree with the State Supreme Court's decision other say they want the city and county to stay dry. 
The mayor in Aliceville says, this decision is devastating to his city finances. Alcohol sales there total $115,000 a year - a huge chunk of the city budget. Several city leaders say they're planning a trip to Montgomery Tuesday to talk with state legislators in hopes of turning this decision around.

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