Clarke County voters approve alcohol sales

Published 11:53 pm Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Clarke County voters on Tuesday approved two referenda allowing for the sale of alcohol in the county.

With 23 out of 23 boxes reporting, the totals were 2804 yes and 1915 no for beer and wine sales, and 2675 yes and 1795 no for the sale of liquor, according to the circuit clerk’s office.

The measures, which made it to the ballot after two petitions received the required number of signatures, passed despite opposition from some church leaders, who argued

that the Bible teaches abstinence from alcohol and that any economic benefit from its legalization would be minimal.

But many politicians and businesses, including restaurants, were in favor of the measures because of the potential economic impact.

In Quitman, The Board of Aldermen struck a compromise by passing an ordinance with two specific restrictions: if alcohol is to be consumed in a business, food sales must be 75 percent of the total check, and a second restriction limiting how stores advertise alcohol.

Lauderdale County

In Lauderdale County, Ondray Harris Sr., was elected District 2 Justice Court Judge. He defeated Jesse Hill Jr., 554 votes to 282. Harris was appointed to the position as an interim judge since December 2016.

His son, Ondray Harris Jr., was elected District 2 Constable, defeating interim Constable Christopher McFarland 443 to 396. There are a total of 10,211 registered voters in the district.

Bill Graham contributed reporting.