Alcohol petition



Local businessman has 280 of 500 signatures needed to get the issue on the ballot



Nathan Hall

News-Journal Staff

A petition to sell alcohol in Spruce Pine has found some support from town residents, but is still short of signatures required to be placed on the ballot in November.

Luther Stamey, owner of Stamey's Grocery in Spruce Pine, said he wants his store, and others in Spruce Pine, to be able to sell alcohol.

He said this will benefit the county by bringing more tourist dollars into the local economy, and by allowing local people to spend their money in-county.

"I'm just trying to keep tax money and jobs here," he said. "During the Gem Festival, people kept coming in here and asking if this was a dry county. And I know a lot of people from (Mitchell County) go to Marion (to buy alcohol)."


Stamey said his petition now has 280 verified signatures, and needs 500 to get on the ballot.

Spruce Pine resident Jeff Hofschulz signed the petition, and said he wants to see Mitchell County get its share of alcohol sales tax profits.

"It's a fallacy that there's no alcohol in Mitchell County," he said. "It's being consumed in Mitchell County, but the money is going somewhere else."

Customers can now buy alcohol with their dinner at Grassy Creek Golf and Country Club, due to a provision in state law that allows resorts to sell drinks. Alcohol can be purchased just over the county line at Skyline Restaurant, Mountain View, and Little Switzerland Cafe. Little Switzerland's Chalet Restaurant also serves liquor, beer and wine.

Stamey said even though the measure did not pass during the 2002 election, he thinks it has enough local support to get by.

"Most people coming in to sign the petition have said they didn't vote (in favor of alcohol sales) last time, because they thought it would go through."

http://www.mitchellnews.com/articles/2006/09/20/news/news01.txt

You need to log on to www.sprucepinebeer.com and read some FACTS regarding alcohol. Why would we want this terrible drug in our county??? I would like to think that some of us still believe in the old fashioned truths of the Bible, and that our community wouldn't stand for the permission of alcohol available on every street corner and in every store building. I was shocked the other day to hear that a deacon from the First Baptist Church was carrying around a petition FOR alcohol. What is becoming of our community?? All I keep hearing is the voices of those who are for alcohol. Where are the rest of you that believe as I do and don't want our kids and ourselves subjected to drunk drivers and the possible assaults and abuse that is so often invloved with the use of alcohol. We have to make ourselves heard even more than those that are for it. They keep bringing up that our town needs the tax revenue, well you need to go to the website I listed above and read the facts about how much America spends on substance/drug abuse and treatment. Please help us fight against this. Make your opinion known!!!

[move]Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. Pro. 20:1[/move]

I agree totally, S Hoilman! We do not need more alcohol in this town! If we make it more readily available, there is no doubt that drinking and driving and domestic violence will increase! I read on a website that for every dollar earned in tax revenue on alcohol sales, taxpayers can expect to pay $21.50 in alcohol related problems. So, economically speaking, this cannot be good!

I have heard so many times in the last couple of weeks that we have alcohol anyhow. Yes, that is true but do we want to have it everywhere in our town? Also, the certain business owner who is pushing this referendum is also pushing 'liquor by the drink'. Do people realize that this will mean we can have BARS in Spruce Pine? YES! That is definitely what we need. . . BARS!!
:-[
For those who are Christians and believe this is ok: Have you prayed about your stand for alcohol? Have you asked God to lead you in this decision or have you merely chosen to believe what you will about alcohol? I think we all need to be in prayer for this foothold that the devil is attempting to gain in our small community!

Alcohol affects the nervous, cardiovascular and digestive system. It affects the liver. Also there are reproductive side effects, including risks to an unborn baby. Conside the consequences of alcohol abuse and intoxication.

Alcohol affects the mental and physical health of the person consuming the drink and the ones who are harmed by the abuse inflicted by the drinker whether verabal, emotional or physical abuse.

I am in healthcare and have seen people in dt's, I have seen those with cirrhosis of the liver, the ones harmed by the hands of the drinker, those that are now disabled because of a drunk driver.

Logically this is the same as placing candy in the same room as children for a week, they will eat it at an alarming rate. If the candy is not there as readily available for consumption they will only partake when it is available or offered. So if you are getting my point.... I am saying that if we do not let alcohol into our town there will still be people who drink it, but if we have it here readily available people will drink more, thus causing more health, mental and physical problems, also an increase in violence and crimes.

Please, pray before you sign the petition.

http://www.alcoholalert.com/deathclock.html Very interesting..... sad :'(

You Finally land
that important interview, the one for your
dream job, the one that will send you
sailing off on the long and glorious career
you’ve set your heart on. ;D

They loved you; they think you’re just what
they’ve been looking for—and your starting
salary is even better than you had hoped.
There’s just one more requirement left
before they can make the formal offer:
a background check. :o
And there it is—the question that leaves
you with a sickening feeling in the pit of
your stomach—the one that asks if you’ve
ever been convicted of an alcohol-related
misdemeanor or felony.
A lot of people don’t realize how one
moment of bad judgment can mean that
their degree is worthless. That dream job vanishes in a puff of smoke.

Convictions including:
• carrying or manufacturing a false I.D.,
• misrepresentation of your age to
purchase or attempt to purchase
liquor or malt or brewed beverages,
• driving under the influence,
• disorderly conduct, or
• purchasing and/or furnishing liquor or malt or brewed beverages to minors

:'( Another dream lost to alcohol......