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Midway council lets the issue of alcohol sales die
Some say they don't see any merit in pursuing the option
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Published: July 8, 2008
MIDWAY
Alcohol sales aren't coming to the town of Midway anytime soon.
Last night, the Midway Town Council effectively killed the idea of letting residents vote on whether to allow the sale of beer and wine. The issue had been tabled last year. Although the town council brought it back up for discussion last night, they didn't vote on it. Instead, council members let the issue die.
"I really have not seen anything in a positive way that would promote family values in Midway," said Todd Nifong, a council member.
Norman Wilkes, the former mayor of Midway, had mentioned the possibility of the town considering alcohol sales in 2006, and the Midway Town Council took up the issue at a meeting on April 2, 2007.
The idea of allowing alcohol sales immediately ran into resistance.
More than 80 people came to the April meeting, and most opposed the proposal. They argued that allowing alcohol sales would ruin the community and lead to more crime.
Supporters argued that some national grocery stores and restaurants wouldn't consider coming into a community that doesn't allow alcohol sales. The town council tabled the issue until newly-elected council members took office. Midway was incorporated in 2006 and had its first election in November.
Dwight Cornelison, a former member of the Thomasville City Council and a staunch opponent of alcohol sales, told the council yesterday that based on Thomasville's experience, Midway wouldn't get much revenue from alcohol sales.
Most of the money ends up going to North Carolina, with Thomasville getting a little more than $200,000, Cornelison said.
He also cited studies that he said showed alcohol sales leading to more crime and young people drinking.
Cornelison urged the town council to not allow alcohol sales.
"It seemed to me you guys were running on a no-alcohol platform," he said.
Suzanne Dellinger, a Midway resident, said that the council should allow Midway residents a chance to vote on the matter.
Unless the issue is put on the ballot, the council members have no way of knowing how residents truly feel about alcohol sales.
"I've lived here 38 years," she said. "I know what Midway is. He (Cornelison) doesn't. You don't know how Midway is going to vote."
Mike McAlpine, the mayor pro tem, said he doesn't think that alcohol sales promote a positive image for Midway.
"Those things don't fit into the mix of our town," he said.
Residents who support alcohol sales could still get a referendum if they get a petition signed by 35 percent of the registered voters in Midway. That would require more than 1,000 signatures.
■ Michael Hewlett can be reached at 727-7326 or at mhewlett@wsjournal.com.
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