Residents Differ On Sunday Alcohol Sales Issue

The issue of Sunday alcohol sales has divided some Smyrna residents. Last week, the Georgia House passed a bill to allow Sunday alcohol sales, and the bill is now moving on to Gov. Nathan Deal, who has said he’ll sign it.

Angela Gann attends and opposes the bill.

“I just don’t think it’s a good thing to do,” said the 43-year resident of Smyrna standing outside the church Sunday. “I don’t drink and my husband doesn’t drink. I wouldn’t vote for it. I just don’t think it would be good for our society. It’s a big controversy, I know.”

State law currently prohibits grocery stores and other retailers from selling beer and wine Sunday, though people can buy and consume alcohol in bars and restaurants on Sunday. But under the bill just passed by the House, county commissions and city councils would face the question of whether to put the question before their voters.

Several Smyrna elected officials have indicated they would welcome the opportunity to allow the citizens to decide the issue. This fall, the mayor and all seven city council members are up for re-election. Mayor Max Bacon, who has already announced he will seek another term, said it should be on the November ballot.

“If it comes up during the election and it means more people come out to vote, that’s great,’’ said Bacon.

Smyrna resident Antwar Fields recognizes the concerns of citizens such as Gann who oppose the bill, but still plans to vote in favor of the measure in November.

“We’re always concerned about morals, but again with the government, the sovereignty of this nation is derived from the people,’’ Fields said. “If the people decided that we don’t want it, then that’s fine. But I don’t like the government stepping in saying what we can and cannot do within the realm of logic. You can’t break laws or whatever, but if someone wants to purchase beer or alcohol they should be allowed to do it.”

Local resident Jack Smilt is also in favor of Sunday alcohol sales. He thinks that legalizing the sale of beer and alcohol in stores will not only increase tax revenue, but also create jobs.

Some community members oppose Sunday sales because they think it will cause more alcohol-related traffic accidents. Danny Ross, a life-long resident of Smyrna, disagrees.

“I think they say that it will cause more DUIs,” Ross said. “But I think DUIs are from people going out and drinking then driving home. So they could go to the store and then go back home.”

A Feb. 10 poll by The Schapiro Group, an Atlanta-based public opinion research firm, said 78 percent of Georgia voters want the opportunity to vote on Sunday alcohol sales.

If given the chance to decide, 61 percent of metro Atlantans said they would vote for Sunday alcohol sales. Of the remaining respondents, twelve percent were “probably in favor;” 5 percent were “probably against;” 16 percent were “definitely against;” and 6 percent were undecided.

Metro Atlanta voters, men, and residents of urban and suburban areas are most likely to vote in favor, while voters over age 60, non-metro Atlanta voters, and rural residents are the most likely to vote against, the survey found.