[7/7/01]

The Greater Cleveland Chamber of Commerce voted to support placing a referendum on November's ballot that will allow residents in unincorporated
areas of Johnston County to purchase malt beverage products like beer and ale in grocery and convenience stores.

"We believe people should have the right to decide if they would like the opportunity to purchase beer and ale in their local grocery and convenience
stores," said Deirdre Jersey, president of the GCCC noting that liquor by the drink in restaurants passed in a referendum in 1997 but that beer/ale sales lost by 100 votes because of a poorly worded statement.

According to Jersey, everyone knew the day they saw the official 1997 ballot that it was going to be confusing to voters.  So the commissioners agreed to revisit the matter when the legislated time between allowable votes had passed.  This November marks four years since the last vote.

Jersey was in attendance at the County Commissioners' April 2001 strategic planning session as an observer. Commissioner Tom Moore said residents from Kenly and Micro approached him to please place the matter back on the ballot. Jersey noted that it was an issue often discussed in the Cleveland Springs
area.  After some review by commissioners, Moore asked Jersey if she would spearhead a petition drive to place the matter on the November ballot.  She
presented it to the chamber board who agreed the matter should be presented to the people in a referendum.

"We respect the large part of our community that does not endorse drinking alcohol of any type.  For me, this issue is a matter of free enterprise and a point for the democratic process to decide.  Because of poor wording, some businesses are allowed to sell a product while others next door are arbitrarily told they cannot," said Jersey.

Jersey pointed out that residents are known to buy malt beverages in other counties and then bring it home, which she notes is lost tax revenue for Johnston County.

"If people are going to drink beer anyway, they should be allowed to buy it here so our businesses and county don't lose the revenue," said Jersey.

Petitions are available for signature at convenience stores, hotels and grocery stores that were asked to collect petition signatures. They will be presented to the county commissioners later this summer.   To obtain a petition, you can call the GCCC office at 773-8448.
 

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