The alcohol industry scored two more wins recently as the residents of Fayette and Centreville voted to go wet.
A state law passed in May 2009 reduced the population requirement in most counties for holding a wet/dry referendum from 7,000 to 1,000, meaning towns like Fayette with 4,800 residents and Centreville with 2,500 residents could decide whether to legalize the sale and distribution of alcohol.
Fayette, which held its referendum June 22, voted to go wet with a strong majority — 58 percent, The Tuscaloosa News reported.
Larry Barnes, director of missions for Fayette Baptist Association, said there is disappointment after so many worked so hard to keep the town dry.
“People are disappointed and I personally hate to see revenues raised by taxing products that are going to ultimately be harmful to the people,” he said.
Centreville’s decision wasn’t so clear-cut.
The referendum was held May 11, and it appeared as if the town would stay dry. But the vote was overturned after one citizen and poll worker contested the election results because 37 of the 50 absentee votes were delivered by a third party, according to The News.
Alabama law requires an absentee vote to be delivered by mail or the voter. On June 15, the Centreville City Council certified the recount.
Bill Day, education director of Alabama Citizens Action Program, said people are becoming desensitized to this issue.
“Some of these things that are occurring are really subtle,” he said. “They are changing the moral environment for our young people. … We’re implying to them that things that used to be questionable are no longer that way.” (TAB)
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