Georgia secretary of state Brian Kemp made the referendum available.
The Walker County elections office notified city officials of the possibility of the referendum issue.
Rossville, LaFayette and Chickamauga officials declined to put the referendum on the ballot.
Lookout Mountain city clerk Cindy Roberts notified Walker County elections supervisor Barbara Berry on Aug. 19 that it would put the referendum to voters.
Lookout Mountain residents are bordered by Hamilton County in Tennessee and currently travel to the Tennessee portion of the mountain or to St. Elmo below to purchase beer and wine on Sunday.
The Lookout Mountain City Council unanimously endorsed the plan during its last meeting, according to Lookout Mountain mayor Bill Glascock.
“I haven’t heard anyone voice concerns about the issue,” Glascock said.
Georgia legislators, including Sen. Jeff Mullis, passed Senate Bill 10 allowing local communities to authorize the sale. Mullis has said he is for “local control” of the decision.
Senate passage of the bill came (32-22) in March 2011.
State Rep. Jay Neal of LaFayette voted against passing the bill, while state Rep. Martin Scott of Rossville voted for it in April, resulting in 127 “yes” votes to 44 “no” votes.
The Lookout Mountain residents will determine the issue on Nov. 8.
There are two businesses that would gain from having Sunday sales.
The Favorite Market convenient store would have package beer sales.
Rock City has had a wine tasting center approved by the city council within the past few months, according to Glascock.
Neither business petitioned to have the referendum on the ballot, according to Glascock. “It is simply a council decision.”
In neighboring Catoosa County, Fort Oglethorpe will be among 98 other communities across Georgia that will consider changing the Sunday “blue laws.”
Georgia is among 13 states that still have such laws on the books.
Post a Comment