Hanceville residents vote by narrow margin to keep city dry

By Brittany N. Howerton

Hanceville residents voted March 9 to keep alcohol out of their city, but unless churches step up and meet the city’s needs, it won’t be very long before alcohol moves in, said Terry Phillips, pastor of First Baptist Church, Hanceville.

With a close vote of 575–547, Phillips said residents are “giving believers a chance, they’re giving the Church a chance” and this is the time to step up and make a difference.

The alcohol legislation was presented as a way to help Hanceville’s financial situation, Phillips explained.

Since the referendum was voted down this voting cycle, “we’ve got two years in Hanceville to prove you can support a town without legalizing alcohol,” he said. “But if the town is not supported at the end of these two years, that sucker (alcohol) is going legal as sure as I’m sitting here.”

Tensions were high as voters anxiously awaited results of the election with the highest voter turnout in Hanceville’s history, according to The Cullman Times.

There were 1,122 ballots cast.

And tensions only rose when city officials announced a 535–534 result favoring a dry city but making the tally too close for a final call.

Officials later discovered they had misinterpreted the electronic printouts and corrected the final totals, keeping the city dry by 28 votes.

At press time, there were still 23 provisional ballots that had yet to be verified and counted by the board of registrars, according to City Clerk Tania Wilcox. These ballots could potentially be disputed based on issues such as the mental condition of an absentee voter or questions about an absentee voter’s registered address.

She said although the eligible ballots will be counted, there would not be enough to alter the outcome of the vote.

Joe Godfrey, executive director of Alabama Citizens Action Program, said because of residents’ dedication to the cause, the outcome was a “great victory” for God’s people. “If community leaders will organize themselves and put forth the effort, this goliath — the alcohol industry — can be defeated,” he said, adding that while he is “excited” and “encouraged” by the outcome, now is the time for the Christian community to stand together.

“The alcohol industry never gives up; they never quit,” Godfrey said. “And they’ll probably be back to Hanceville in a couple of years, so Christians can never let down their guards because Satan never gives up. It’s about standing strong, being consistent.”

Phillips said he is willing to do what he can to promote the health and financial stability of the city.

“Since this thing did stay dry, we must do everything possible to bring life back into downtown Hanceville because it is dead,” Phillips said. “Alcohol is not the answer but bringing businesses and families back into downtown — that is a necessity. I’m willing to do whatever I can to encourage businesses and business owners to come and support the town.

“I’m tired of bad bleeding over to good,” he added. “It’s heartbreaking. … You have to keep standing strong and doing what’s right, and I’ll keep encouraging my people to do what’s right.

“If you do what’s right, then at end of day, good things will happen. Hopefully that’s what has happened in Hanceville.”