Obviously an important week in front of us, both nationally and locally.
I am attaching the Editorial from this week's Republican. Don Sincell has done a wonderful job of explaining how I feel about the Sunday Alcohol Sale issue on this week's ballot.
In my life as a realtor, I am exposed to many potential property owners in the Deep
Creek Lake/Wisp/Garrett County area. I answer questions from these people and see their reactions. I know the inability of local restaurants to offer an alcoholic beverage on a Sunday evening drives many people away from Garrett County early. Our local restaurant owners, and wait staff suffer from the lack of business. If you haven't already, take a minute and read Don's Editorial.
One issue not raised by Don is that our local businesses and resort area are competing with surrounding counties in WV, PA and MD, let's not tie one hand behind their back.
No matter how you feel on this issue, it is a privilege to vote.
Key Word is "Excess"...
Oct. 30, 2008
Among the most important decisions that will be made next Tuesday for Garrett County is the approval or rejection of the proposal for limited sales of alcoholic beverages on Sunday in the county. It is a sensitive, controversial issue for many residents.
For both opponents and proponents of the measure, there are at least three areas of consideration; three angles from which most are using to analyze the proposal - economics, safety, and religion.
According to many business owners, there is no question that the prohibition of the sale of any alcohol on Sunday has a negative effect on those businesses. Some weekend visitors apparently do leave the area earlier on Sundays, and those who live here and enjoy an alcoholic beverage with Sunday dinner are more apt to stay home. Some opponents of the measure claim that the business owners (sometimes referred to as "fat cats") are the only ones who lose money in this case, but of course that is not true. Wait staff make less in tips, and other employees are often sent home early. Lower income also stunts the growth of a business, including the potential for creating additional jobs. There is also a reduction in income that day for many of the other businesses that cater to tourists and residents, such as service stations.
In terms of safety, the approval of this proposal will likely have little or no negative effect, as the vast majority of Sunday diners at local eating establishments have no intention of drinking to excess. They simply want to enjoy an alcoholic beverage with their meal. Unfortunately, individuals who have a drinking problem will continue to drink on Sundays, regardless of whether or not alcohol is available for purchase that day since it is available the other six days of the week. This proposal will not allow "bulk sales" of alcohol, since grocery and package stores will still be prohibited from selling it on Sundays.
The word "excess" is key here. Some opponents take the stand that consumption of any alcohol is a bad thing, yet there are a number of health benefits to consuming a glass of wine. Aspirin is one of the greatest drugs ever discovered, when taken in proper dosage. But consumption of a whole bottle of aspirin is fatal, 100% of the time.
The angle evoking the most passion is the religious one, yet alcohol sales/use on Sunday really has no historic basis as a religious issue. For Christians, there is no scriptural prohibition against a glass of wine on any given day of the week, including Sundays. The Sabbath of the Bible is actually from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. Wine has opened and closed the Jewish Sabbath for thousands of years, and wine has been a part of the Sunday gathering and Eucharistic meal ever since the house churches of early Christianity. Communion wine was and is the symbolic blood of Christ, designated and first distributed by Christ himself.
Yes, the Bible also teaches that drunkenness leads to foolish behavior, being taken advantage of, and even injury and death. But here again, the key word is "excess." The problem is not drinking, but drinking to excess.
With all of these angles being considered, a yes vote on the limited Sunday sale of alcoholic beverages in Garrett County is recommended.
